A Defense of the Answer Made Unto Nine Questions, Title page – Preface

A Defense of the Answer Made Unto Nine Questions · Title page – Preface

A DEFENCE OF THE Anſwer made unto the Nine Queſtions or Poſitions ſent from New-England, Againſt the REPLY THERETO BY That Reverend ſervant of Chriſt, Mr. JOHN BALL; Entituled, A Tryall of the New Church-way in New-England and in Old. Wherin, beſide a more full opening of ſundry particulars concerning Liturgies, Power of the Keys, matter of the viſible Church, &c. is more largely handled, that controverſie concerning the Catholick viſible Church; tending to cleare up the Old-way of Chriſt in New-England Churches.

By

Iohn Allin Paſtor of Dedham

Tho. Shepard Paſtor of Cambridge

in New-England.

Veritas nihil crubeſcit praeterquam abſcondi, Tertul.

Sua ſilentia amat Spiritus per quae nobis illabitur, ſe que inſinuat cupidis non gloriae ſed cognoſcendae veritatis, Melanct.

Let the bleſſing come upon the head of Joſeph, and upon the top of the head of him that was ſeparated from his Brethren, Deut. 33.16.

London, Printed by R. Cotes for Andrew Crooke, and are to be ſold at the Green Dragon in Pauls Church-yard, 1648.

p. 1The Preface to the Reader.

IT was the profeſsion of the Lord Jeſus before Pilate, when he queſtioned with him about his Kingdome, John 18.37. That for this cauſe he was born and came into the world, to beare witneſſe of the truth. Many truths about the ſpirituall Kingdom of Chriſt hath he imparted to us, if therfore we be born into the world, or ſent into this Wilderneſſe to beare witneſſe to his truth, it is unto us reward ſufficient, that we ſhould be witneſſes thereunto, even to the utmoſt parts of the Earth. Wee confeſſe wee have been too ſlow in this ſervice of Chriſt, not having to this day ſet forth an unanimous Confeſsion of that Form of wholſome words which is Preached, received, and profeſſed in theſe Churches of the Lord Jeſus; and which we are not unmindfull of, though our diſtances, and other difficulties may delay the opportunity. But this in the meane time we profeſſe in generall, That (ſo farre as wee know) there is the ſame bleſſed Spirit of Truth breathing in the Miniſtery of the Country; the ſame Faith embraced and profeſſed in the Churches, which is generally received as the Orthodox Doctrine of the Goſpel, in the beſt reformed Churches, and particularly by our godly learned Brethren of England and Scotland. And though errours have ſprung up among us, and ſome are gone out from us, that we feare were not of us, yet p. 2wee have borne witneſſe againſt them, and by the bleſsing of God, by the breath of Chriſt in the mouths of his ſervants they have been blaſted. Neither doe we underſtand that theſe Churches are accuſed of any errours about the ſaving truths of the Goſpel, and therefore we thought our ſelves not ſo much called of God to ſuch a Confeſsion at preſent, as to cleare up to the world thoſe Truths we profeſſe about the kingdome and government of Chriſt in his Churches, which is the great worke of this age, and of this nick of time. And yet here alſo we feare that we have been too ſlack; for though it bee ſaid, VVee are the Volunteers, ſuch as cry up this way, &c. and ſo it ſeemes wee are apprehended to bee one cauſe of theſe preſent differences: yet if things be well weighed, we may ſeem rather to bee farre behinde in the duty that lyes upon us. Indeed ſome briefe Anſwers ſent over to ſome particular perſons, to ſatisfie Brethren what our practiſe is, (with ſome briefe touch of our reaſons) rather then to diſc…ſſe thoſe points, have been printed by ſome without our knowledge, or aſſent, upon what grounds they beſt know. And ſome ſhort Treatiſes by ſome reverend Brethren have been publiſhed to declare their affectionate deſires of the unanimous endevours of all our deare Brethren, for a generall and holy Reformation: But what hath been ſaid or done that either may juſtly offend the minds of the godly, provoke their ſpirits, diſunite their affections, or hinder a godly Reformation? Yea, wee have been too ſlow to cleare our Doctrine and practiſe from the many objections, harſh interpretations, and manifold criminations caſt upon the ſame, wherein wee feare our lothneſſe to intermeddle in theſe Controverſies for feare of making the breach wider amongſt Brethren; and our deſire rather to attend what light we might receive from others in theſe points wherein wee profeſſe our ſelves ſeekers after the truth, have made us guilty of neglect in this our duty. But now we ſee our ſelves preſſed hereto, by a neceſsity of juſtifying our wayes againſt the many aſperſions caſt upon them, as well as againſt the Reaſons uſed againſt them, for wee perceive by the firſt Letter of our Brethren, how the with-drawing of Chriſtians from the Liturgy was imputed to us, and by this Reply both in the Epiſtle and divers paſſages, wee cannot but ſee what apprehenſions are raiſed of us; yea, many are apt to think, that if we had ſaid nothing, yet our very act in forſaking the Churches of God in our deare native Country, and the Cauſe of Chriſt there, together with the practiſe of theſe Churches thought to bee ſo different from the reformed Churches, have been, not onelyonly a great weakening to the hands of the Godly, (that have ſtood by the Cauſe of Chriſt) but alſo have cauſed great diſturbance to the Reformation in hand: To which much might be ſaid, but that wee ſhould exceed the bounds of an Epiſtle. Yet let us intreat all the Godly wiſe, to conſider and look back upon the-ſeaſon of this great enterpriſe, undertaken by us, and the manner of our proceedings in it, with the admirable workings of Gods Providence firſt and laſt about it; and we think (though we were ſilent) they may eaſily ſatisfie themſelves, whether this was of God or men, a ſinfull neglect of the Cauſe of Chriſt, or a manifeſt attestation to the truth, by open profeſsion againſt Corruptions of Worſhip in uſe, and for the neceſsity of reformation of the Church; and that confirmed by no ſmall degree of ſufferings for the ſame. For was it not a time when humane Worſhip and inventions were growne to ſuch an intolerable height, that the conſciences of Gods ſaints and ſervants inlightened in the truth) could no longer bear them? was not the power of the tyrannicall Prelates ſo great, that like a ſtrong Current carryed all down ſtreame before it, what ever was from the law, or otherwiſe ſet in their way? Did not the hearts of men generally faile them? Where was the people to bee found that would cleave to their godly Miniſters in their ſufferings, but rather thought it their diſcretion, to provide for their owne quiet and ſafety? Yea, when p. 4ſome freely in zeale of the Truth preached or profeſſed againſt the corruptions of the times, did not ſome take offence at it, judge it raſhneſſe, and to bee againſt all rules of diſcretion, who ſince are ready to cenſure us for deſerting the Cauſe? Many then thought, it is an evill time, the prudent ſhall hold their peace, and might wee not ſay, this is not our reſting place? And what would men have us doe in ſuch a caſe? Muſt wee ſtudy ſome diſtinctions to ſalve our Conſciences in complying with ſo manifold corruptions in Gods Worſhip? or ſhould wee live without Gods ordinances, becauſe wee could not partake in the corrupt adminiſtration thereof? or content our ſelves to live without thoſe ordinances of Gods Worſhip and Communion of Saints which hee called us unto, and our ſoules breathed after? or ſhould wee forſake the publique Aſſemblies, and joyne together in private ſeparated Churches? how unſufferable it would then have been, the great offence that now is taken at it, is a full evidence. And if in Cities, or ſome ſuch great Townes that might have been done, yet how was it poſsible for ſo many ſcattered Chriſtians all over the Countrey? It is true, we might have ſuffered, if wee had ſought it, wee might eaſily have found the way to have filled the Priſons, and ſome had their ſhare therein. But whether wee were called thereunto, when a wide doore was ſet open of liberty otherwiſe; and our witneſſe to the truth, (through the malignant policy of thoſe times) could not bee open before the world, but rather ſmothered up in cloſe priſons or ſome ſuch wayes, together with our ſelves, wee leave to bee conſidered. Wee cannot ſee but the rule of Chriſt to his Apoſtles and Saints, and the practiſe of Gods Saints in all ages, may allow us this liberty as well as others, to fly into the Wilderneſſe from the face of the Dragon. But if it had been ſo, that the Godly Miniſters and Chriſtians that fled to New-England, were the moſt timorous and faint hearted of all their Brethren, that ſtayed behinde, and that p. 5thoſe ſufferings were nothing in compariſon of their Brethrens (for why ſhould any boaſt of ſufferings?) yet who doth not know that the Spirit who gives various gifts, and all to profit withall, in ſuch times doth ſingle out every one to ſuch worke, as hee in wiſdome intends to call them unto? And whom the Lord will honour by ſuffering for his Cauſe, by impriſonment, &c. hee gives them ſpirits ſuitable thereto: whom the Lord will reſerve for other ſervice, or imploy in other places, hee inclines their hearts rather to fly, giving them an heart ſuitable to ſuch a condition. It is a caſe of Conſcience frequently put, and oft reſolved by holy Bradford, Peter Martyr, Philpot, and others, in Queene Maries bloody dayes, viz. Whether it was lawfull to flee out of the Land: To which their anſwer was, that if God gave a ſpirit of courage and willingneſſe to glorifie him by ſufferings, they ſhould ſ…ay; but if they found not ſuch a ſpirit they might lawfully fly, yea, they adviſed them thereunto. Thoſe Servants of Chriſt, though full of the ſpirit of glory, and of Chriſt to outface the greateſt perſecuters in profeſsion of the Truth, unto the death, yet did not complaine of the cowardize of ſuch as fled, becauſe they deſerted them and the Cauſe, but rather adviſed divers ſo to doe, and rejoyced when God gave liberty to their brethren to eſcape with their lives to the places of liberty, to ſerve the Lord according to his Word. Neither were thoſe faithfull Saints and ſervants of God uſeleſſe and unprofitable in the Church of God that fled from the bloody Prelates. The infinite and onelyonly wiſe God hath many workes to doe in the World, and hee doth by his ſingular Providence give gifts to his Servants, and diſpoſeth them to his Worke as ſeemeth beſt to himſelfe. If the Lord will have ſome to beare witneſſe by impriſonments, diſmembring, &c. wee honour them therein; if hee will have others inſtrumentall to promote reformation in England, wee honor them, and rejoyce in their holy endeavours, praying for a p. 6bleſsing upon themſelves and labours. And what if God will have his Church and the Kingdome of Chriſt goe up alſo in theſe remote parts of the world, that his Name may bee known to the Heathen, or whatſoever other end hee hath, and to this end will ſend forth a company of weake-hearted Chriſtians, which dare not ſtay at home to ſuffer, why ſhould wee not let the Lord alone, and rejoyce that Chriſt is preached howſoever, and whereſoever? And who can ſay that this work was not undertaken and carryed on with ſincere and right ends, and in an holy ſerious manner, by the chiefe and the body of ſuch as undertooke the ſame? The Lord knows whether the ſincere deſires of worſhipping himſelfe according to his will, of promoting and propagating the Goſpel, was not in the hearts of very many in this enterpriſe; and hee that ſeeth in ſecret, and rewardeth openly, knows what prayers and teares have been poured out to God by many alone, and in dayes of f…ſting and prayer of Gods ſervants together, for his counſell, direction, aſsiſtance, bleſsing in this worke: How many longings and pa…tings of heart have been in many after the Lord Jeſus, to ſee his goings in his Sanctuary, as the one thing their ſoules deſired and requeſted of God, that they might dwell in his houſe for ever; the fruit of which prayers and deſires this liberty of New-England hath been taken to bee, and thankfully received from God. Yea, how many ſerious conſultations with one another, and with the faithfull Miniſters, and other eminent ſervants of Chriſt, have been taken about this worke, is not unknowne to ſome; which cleares us from any raſh heady ruſhing into this place, out of diſcontent, as many are ready to conceive. Wee will here ſay nothing of the perſons whoſe hearts the Lord ſtirred up in this buſineſſe; ſurely all were not raſh, weake-ſpirited, inconſiderate of what they left behinde, or of what it was to goe into a Wilderneſſe. But if it were well knowne and conſidered, or if wee were able to expreſſe and recount the ſingular workings of p. 7divine Providence, for the bringing on of this Worke, to what it is come unto, it would ſtop the mouths of all that have not an heart to accuſe and blaſpheme the goodneſſe of God in his glorious workes▪ whatever many may ſay or think, wee beleeve after-times will admire and adore the Lord herein, when all his holy ends, and the wayes he hath uſed to bring them about ſhall appeare. Look from one end of the heaven to another, whether the Lord hath aſſayed to do ſuch a Worke as this in any Nation, ſo to carry out a people of his owne from ſo flouriſhing a State, to a wilderneſſe ſo far diſtant, for ſuch ends, and for ſuch a worke: Yea, and in few yeares hath done for them, as hee hath here done for his poore deſpiſed people. When wee looke back and conſider what a ſtrange poiſe of ſpirit the Lord hath laid upon many of our hearts, wee cannot but wonder at our ſelves, that ſo many, and ſome ſo weak and tender, with ſuch cheerfulneſſe and conſtant reſolutions againſt ſo many perſwaſions of friends, diſcouragements from the ill report of this Countrey, the ſtraits, wants, and tryalls of Gods people in it, &c. yet ſhould leave our accommodations and comforts, ſhould forſake our deareſt relations, Parents, brethren, Siſters, Chriſtian friends, and acquaintances, over looke all the dangers and difficulties of the vaſt Seas, the thought whereof was a terrour to many, and all this to go to a Wilderneſse▪ where wee could forecaſt nothing but care and temptations, onelyonly in hopes of enjoying Christ in his Ordinances, in the fellowſhip of his people; was this from a ſtupid ſenſleſneſſe or deſperate careleſneſſe what became of us or ours? or want of naturall affections to our deare Countrey, or neareſt relations? No ſurely, with what bowells of compaſsion to our deare Countrey; with what heart-breaking affections, to our deare relations, and Chriſtian friends many of us at leaſt came away, the Lord is witneſſe. What ſhall we ſay of the ſingular Providence of God bringing ſo many Ship-loads of p. 8his people, through ſo many dangers, as upon Eagles wings, with ſo much ſafety from yeare to yeare? The fatherly care of our God in feeding and cloathing ſo many in a Wilderneſſe, giving ſuch healthfulneſſe and great increaſe of poſterity? what ſhall wee ſay of the Worke it ſelfe of the kingdome of Chriſt? and the form of a Common-wealth erected in a Wilderneſſe, and in ſo few yeares brought to that ſtate, that ſcarce the like can bee ſeen in any of our Engliſh Colonies in the richeſt places of this America, after many more years ſtanding? That the Lord hath carryed the ſpirits of ſo many of his people through all their toylſome labour, wants, difficulties, loſſes, &c. with ſuch a meaſure of chearfulneſſe and contentation? But above all wee muſt acknowledge the ſingular pity and mercies of our God, that hath done all this and much more for a people ſo unworthy, ſo ſinfull, that by murmurings of many, unfaithfulneſſe in promiſes, oppreſsions, and other evils which are found among us, have ſo diſhonoured his Majeſty, expoſed his worke here to much ſcandall and obloquie, for which wee have cauſe for ever to bee aſhamed, that the Lord ſhould yet owne us, and rather correct us in mercy, then caſt us off in diſpleaſure, and ſcatter us in this Wilderneſſe, which gives us cauſe with Mich. 7. to ſay, Who is a God like our God, that pardoneth iniquities, and paſſeth by the tranſgreſſions of the remnant of his heritage; even becauſe he delighteth in mercy? Though we be a people of many weakneſſes and wants, yet wee acknowledge our God to have been to us a God of many mercies, in reſpect of that ſweet peace which he hath taken away from ſo many Nations, yet continuing the ſame to us; in reſpect alſo of that liberty wee have in Gods houſe, the bleſſed Miniſtery of the Word, the ſweet unity and communion of Gods Churches and Miniſters, increaſe and multiplication of Churches, Chriſtian government in the Common-wealth, and many other mercies wee enjoy, but eſpecially the gracious preſence p. 9of Chriſt to many of our ſoules in all theſe. But wee will not inſiſt much upon this ſubject, being perſwaded it is in the conſciences and hearts of many of our dear Countrey-men to thinke that we ſhould be an object of love and tenderneſſe to that State and people, by whoſe Laws and unkind uſages we were driven out into a wilderneſſe, rather then to bee judged as deſertors of our Brethren, and the Cauſe of Chriſt in hand: with whom (excuſe us if we now ſpeak plainly) it had been far more eaſie unto many of us to have ſuffered, then to have adventured hither upon the wilderneſſe ſorrows wee expected to have met withall; though we muſt confeſſe the Lord hath ſweetned it beyond our thoughts, and utmoſt expectations of prudent men.

But paſsing by this wee muſt deſire the Reader to beare with us a little in removing that apprehenſion that wee are the great stumbling block in the way of Reformation, which (if it were true) it had been better we had been driven ſo farre into this wilderneſſe, as never to have been heard of more.

Concerning our affection to this bleſſed worke of a publique Reformation, of the Nation in generall, and the particular Churches or Congregations of the Land in particular, (as it is beſt knowne to God) ſo wee thinke it is not unknowne to men, not onelyonly here by our daily prayers for it, and ſometime ſolemne ſeekings of God about it; but alſo we have given ſome teſtimonies thereof both by private Letters, and the publique motions of ſome of Gods eminent ſervants among us tending that way.

We conceive two things ſpecially in our Doctrine and practiſe, that may ſeem to bee ſtumbling blocks in the way of this publique Reformation, which we ſhall here remove.

The firſt is our practiſe wherein wee ſeem ſo much to differ from the reformed Churches, in receiving to our Churches onelyonly viſible Saints and beleevers.

This we doe freely confeſſe that our practiſe and judgement p. 10doe evidence this to all, that we thinke reformation of the Church doth not onelyonly conſiſt in purging out corrupt Worſhip, and ſetting up the true; but alſo in purging the Churches from ſuch profaneneſſe and ſinfulneſſe as is ſcandalous to the Goſpel, and makes the Lord weary of his owne Ordinances, Eſay 1.

And wee doubt not but this was in the hearts of many, (if not moſt) of Gods ſervants, to deſire a ſeparation of the precious from the vile, in the diſpenſing of Gods ordinances; and if the charity of ſome be of larger extent herein then others, this hinders not agreement in the maine.

This day hath diſcovered what kinde of people are to bee found every where in the Pariſhes of England: Can light and darkneſſe, Chriſt and Belial agree together? Popiſh epiſcopall enemies and haters of all godlineſſe and reformation, cleave together in one Church of Chriſt, with the Saints of God?

Yet neither our Doctrine nor practiſe do preſcribe and limit the way of attaining this reformation, whereby any ſhould juſtly from our example ſtand off from concurring in ſuch a publique worke.

It is true, where there is no Church relation, but a people are to begin a new conſtituting of Churches, reformation is to be ſought in the firſt Conſtitution. This is our caſe. But where corrupted Churches, (ſuch as we conceive the Congregations of England generally to be) are to be reformed, there we conceive that ſuch Congregations ſhould bee called by able Miniſters unto repentance for former evills, and confeſsing and bewayling their ſins, renew a ſolemn Covenant with God to reform themſelves, and to ſubmit unto the diſcipline of Chriſt. By which meanes ſuch as refuſe ſo to doe, exclude themſelves, and others by the ſeverity of Diſcipline ſhould bee purged out, if falling into ſinne they remaine impenitent in the ſame.

p. 11What ſome particular perſons may have ſaid or done contrary to this our profeſsion, wee cannot ſay, nor doe we juſtifie, but wee know nothing that hath come from us to the contrary, to weaken the hands of godly reformers, or to perſwade the people to ſeparate from the Congregations, if by any meanes they might attaine (with toleration of what can be) the reformation thereof, with the liberty of Gods true worſhip therein. If indeed that cannot bee obtained, but men contradict and blaſpheme them, as Paul ſeparated the Diſciples, ſo wee ſee no other remedy the faithfull have in ſuch a caſe.

The ſecond ſtumbling block may be our Doctrine and practiſe about Church-Government, when wee give Diſcipline as well as other Ordinances to particular Churches, not ſubjecting them to any Government out of themſelves; but onelyonly to take the brotherly counſell and helpe one of another.

But how this ſhould hinder a generall Reformation we ſee not, for if every Church ſo reforme themſelves (as is aforeſaid) and have ſuch Officers over them as the rule of the New Teſtament requires, 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 2. wee need not feare to betruſt the Church (having ſuch Officers) with that power which we conceive Chriſt hath given to the ſame, other Churches watching over them, counſelling and admoniſhing them in the Lord.

But if there be not ſuch a reformation of the Churches, nor ſuch guides ſet over them, the power of the keyes in a Presbytery of ſuch Pastors as may not be according to the rule, may as much abuſe them as a particular Church may doe, and it may be to the hurt of many who would uſe them better, in their own Congregations, then they can in a Claſsis, being over-voted there.

And we cannot conceive but both the care of reforming the matter of a Church, and the recalling of the power of government to the Church, tends much to further this worke p. 12of reformation, no way to hinder the ſame.

And if wee might obtaine that of our deare Brethren, which wee humbly crave, viz. That our Doctrine and practiſe might be taken candidly according to our plaine meaning, and declarations, and not repreſented unto the World under ſuch ſhapes and formes as make it ſeeme rigid (all one with the moſt rigid Separatiſts, Donatiſts, Arminians, Socinians, &c.) we ſhould hope that we ſhall goe for lovers and friends to a godly and generall Reformation, not for diſturbers of the ſame; but the contrary dealing we meet with too too oft through the miſtakes of Brethren; This learned Author Mr. Ball, though in the Epiſtle he deſired us to reſt aſſured, that although he had conceived ſuch thoughts of us as leaning to ſeparation, yet he would gladly receive every ſyllable from us that ſhould diſlodge ſuch thoughts, yet againſt our plaine profeſsion ſometime he will needs faſten the opinion of ſeparation upon us, and very frequently ſets Mr. Robinſon in a parallel with our opinions, (as if we generally went that way in thoſe things) which are well known to be the Doctrine of many of our godly and beſt reformers.

The Learned may plainly ſee, how eaſie it had been for us and upon better grounds to have filled our margents with quotations out of Papiſts and Prelates as parallel with many paſſages of this Reply, but we have purpoſely abſtained from ſo doing, that we might not caſt any blur or provoke the ſpirits of brethren.

And ſeeing we are inforced to wipe off ſuch aſperſions, we humbly deſire our beloved Brethren (whoſe learned labours wee honour) to beare with us if we lightly touch this ſore, for wee confeſſe it brings bluſhing into our faces, and ſadneſſe to our hearts, to read ſo often ſuch harſh imputations caſt upon us, which we cannot conceive but (falling from ſuch pens) they breed a ſtrange loathing of us in the ſtomachs of many that read bookes without ſerious examinations thereof.

p. 13Firſt, how oft doe wee meet with that imputation, that wee make none members of a viſible Church but ſuch as are really ſaints and beleevers, contrary to our frequent profeſsion, That viſible ſaints that are ſuch in judgement of charity are fit matter of the Church?

Secondly, that we make a vocall Church Oath or Covenant, the eſſentiall forme of a Church, when as wee frequently acknowledge that this Covenant which conſtituteth a Church, is either implicite or explicite, and that Congregations in England are truly Churches having an implicite covenant: and it is far from our practiſe to uſe any Oath in our Covenant, and ſtrange to us to read ſo many Pages againſt our Church Oath, and ſwearing to a Covenant, to make our courſes horrid and too too rigorous.

Thirdly, that we ſet up a popular government, making the Elders of the Church no more but moderators, &c. and that Miniſters rec…ive their power from the people, are their ſervants, and adminiſter in their name, (as Mr. Ball and others object) when we oft profeſſe the contrary, that all autho…ity (properly ſo called) is in the hands of the Elders, and the liberty of the people is to bee carryed in a way of ſubjection, and obedience to them in the Lord: neither doth it follow from any Doctrine of ours, no more then from the ordination of Paſtors by the Presbytery, that they are their ſervants, &c.

Fourthly, that if a Congregation reject a Paſtor for no fault, they take both nomen & eſſe, the name and nature of a Paſtor from him. For this the Reader is referred to our Anſwer of the twenty fift Queſtion of the thirty two queſtions ſent unto us, where nothing at all is ſaid, but reference is made to our anſwer to the nine queſtions, amongſt which the ſeventh being of this very point, our anſwer is quite contrary to what is imputed to us. Our words are theſe, Concerning the Miniſter himſelfe thus depoſed, &c. we conceive though hee bee by them deprived of the execution p. 14of his Miniſtery amongſt them, yet untill hee accept of a call to another people, hee ſtill remaine a Miniſter of Chriſt; in whoſe account hee hath true right of adminiſtration among the people. Now if hee remaine a Miniſter of Chriſt, and have true right to adminiſter, let any judge whether wee take away nomen or eſſe; or that wee make Church cenſures worke ex opere operato, clave errante, as is alſo imputed to us. Many ſuch miſtakes we finde, but let theſe ſuffice to informe the Reader how wary hee had need bee in receiving ſuch reports againſt brethren: and this charity wee have cauſe the more earneſtly to crave of all, that they would reſerve one eare to heare what their poore out-caſt brethren can ſay for themſelves, becauſe wee are placed at ſuch a diſtance and diſadvantage, that ofttimes it is not poſsible for us to take notice of ſuch objections, and return an anſwer under a yeare or almoſt two years, whereby Satan hath a marvailous advantage to work ſtrange thoughts and diſtaſtefull affections towards us, and faſten them ſo deeply that hardly they will bee taken off again. But thus it falleth out too too frequently, that when Brethren, otherwiſe deare to each other, differ, in their judgements, and breake out to open contention about the ſame, they are very apt to make the opinions of the contrary party as unpleaſing and abſurd to the judgement of others, as may bee, whence griefe, offence, and alienations of affections (through the ſubtilty of Satan, and the corruption of our hearts) are ready to follow. And this makes us both fearfull of our ſelves, leſt wee ſhould give way to any unloving thoughts towards the deare ſervants of Chriſt, or returne any offenſive language unto them; yea, this cauſeth us oft to bewaile that, which can never bee enough lamented, the ſad diſtances and ſharpe contentions between ſuch neare brethren, whom the Lord hath ſo conjoyned in the ſame Cauſe of Reformation. And oh that our deare brethren would beare with us p. 15a little here, and give us leave to poure out our humble and affectionate requeſts and expoſtulations into their boſomes! Wee would bee very loath to impute any thing to our deare Country and beloved brethren that is not evident, or to rip up private failings, and make them publique: but when Pulpits and Preſſes proclaime to the world not onelyonly the diſtances in judgement, but alſo alienation of affections; when there is ſuch ſtraining to make the contrary tenents as odious to the world as may bee, ſuch inlarging of differences, as if the wounds could never bee healed; ſuch gall and vineger poured on, in ſtead of the ſalt of ſavoury ſpeeches, and the oyle of ſmooth and ſoft words to calm and pacifie ſpirits already provoked; yea, when there want not ſome that ſeeke all private Letters they can gather up, and ſearch every corner to diſcover and publiſh to the world the ſeeming failings of brethren; when contentions are grown to that paſſe, that ſuch orthodox, learned, and godly brethren whoſe faithfull labours in the Lords worke, and great ſervice and uſe they may be of in time to come, might worthily plead for a roome in the boſomes and inmoſt affections of their brethren, are cryed out againſt as not to bee indured in the Countrey, becauſe of ſome difference in ſome points of diſcipline: when theſe things are ſo, who that have any ſenſe of Gods diſhonour, or true love to his Countreys good, can forbeare from teares, or hold his peace, that have any opportunity to utter his griefe? Wee will not take upon us to ſay who began this fray, or who have moſt tranſgreſſed the rules of charity and to ſedome. The Lord give every man an heart that hath failed to bee affected with their owne, and ready to pity and pardon one anothers weakneſſes: neither doe wee hereby blame loving and candid debating of differences to finde out the truth; but give us leave to ſay thus much to all, (for our hearts and ſoules are with all the faithfull ſervants of Chriſt, that deſire according to p. 16their light to promote the kingdome of Chriſt Jeſus, what ever their diſtance of judgement from us may be) What, deare brethren, is there no balme in Gilead, no Phyſitian to heale this wound? alaſſe, how is it now ſo wide and deep, that at the firſt was preſented to the world ſo ſmall, or ſcarce any at all? When the Prelates petitioned for their government, becauſe the Reformers were not, nor could ever agree upon one Forme: it was profeſſed that in ſix Points (whereof ſome are now the greateſt bones of contention) all did agree; and doubted not but if the Prelates were downe, all would agree in one. And was this bare words to put off the Prelaticall petition? or did the Author ſpeake without ground at adventures? God forbid wee ſhould thinke ſo; but what the common adverſary will think and ſpeak, it would grieve a godly heart to conſider. How comes it then to paſſe the breach is growne ſo great? It rejoyced our hearts to ſee that ingenuous, Chriſtian and peaceable diſpoſition in that ever honoured brother Mr. Herle, who brought the diſtance in his Preface to ſuch a narrow, as if one plaſter more might ſeeme to have healed it; oh that there had been many more of that peace…making ſpirit! what heart-burnings and contentions had been prevented. Wee thought alſo that meeke Apologetick Narration gave a faire opportunity of cloſing with brethren in ſuch things as they profeſſed to concur in, but what contrary entertainment it found, wee lament to conſider. And is it now come to this paſſe, that theſe who were in a manner one cannot live together in the ſame kingdome? Oh the depth of the malice and ſubtilty of that old Serpent! Oh the policy and undermining faculty of the Jeſuiticall generation, (who no doubt have a great influence in this diviſion!) Oh the frailties of fleſh and blood in Gods deareſt Saints! Oh the unſearchable depths of the Lords eternall counſels, that for holy ends leaves his owne to ſuch temptations, and yet knows how, and will aſſuredly improve all p. 17this to his owne glory, and the lifting up of the name and kingdome of Chriſt in deſpite of all the gates of hell; and give his ſervants once a ſeaſon to ſing together this ſong of Moſes and of the Lambe in triumph over all their enemies. But what? is the cauſe paſt helpe and remedy? ſhall we think, alaſſe, there is no hope, they will not leave untill they have devoured each other, better for us to ſay nothing, wee ſhall bee but cenſured and ſlighted of all? God forbid, have wee ventured thus farre, and ſhall wee not preſume a little further? Oh that we were worthy and fit to propound any thing that might tend to mollifie this ſore: Or that the Lord himſelfe would ſpeake by ſuch poore creatures any word in ſeaſon to helpe (at leaſt a little) in this ſad caſe! We will not, deare Brethren, make this long Epiſtle more tedious by preſenting unto you all that might be ſaid to move and perſwade your hearts to ſtudy peace and unity, and with one ſhoulder to ſet your ſelves to further this bleſſed worke of publique Reformation, for which the Lord hath put ſuch an opportunity into your hands, as never was the like, and God knows, whether ever it will bee, if this bee ſlipped. Wee are perſwaded, when the heate of contention is laid aſide, the bleſſed Spirit of Chriſt in you doth ſecretly ſuggeſt arguments enough unto your hearts. Doe you not oft heare ſuch whiſperings as theſe. Are they not Brethren who differ from us? hath not the Lord received them? doe they not ſtand or fall to their own Maſter, and how ſhall wee reject or judge them? have we not our ignorances and frailties? what, is there no conſolation in Chriſt, no comfort of love, no fellowſhip of the ſpirit? or if ſo, ſhould not this perſwade us to bee of one minde in the Lord? doe wee not hope to live in heaven together, and ſhall wee ſtand at ſuch diſtances here? ſhall wee thus ſuffer peace to goe from us, and not follow and purſue it? ſhall we loſe the bleſsing of peace-makers? ſhall wee by ſuch differences, thus gratifie Satan, Jeſuites, Prelates, &c. and ſtrengthen p. 18their hands by weakening our owne▪ are we not in the highway to devoure each other, and expoſe all to ruine▪ is it not high time for us that are one in the Orthodox truth, to joyne heart and hand to pray, and preach, and write as one, to ſtop the floud-gate of errours and abominations that Satan hath ſet open to the drowning of many ſoules▪ and the hazzard of many of the ſheep of Chriſt, whiles wee are contending about ſome matters of order which though they bee of moment, yet muſt give way unto more fundamentall truths; and oh that this miſchief were ſufficiently laid to heart▪ and the dangerous ſpreadings of ſuch gangrenes looked to in ſeaſon! What will not all our vowes, covenants and ſolemne Oaths binde us together? Theſe and many ſuch heart-breaking conſiderations wee doubt not are before your eyes daily, which therefore wee will not inlarge. OnelyOnly give us leave to propound what we conceive in our weake judgement might ſomewhat tend to heale this distance. Wee confeſſe wee ſtand farre from the marke, and may miſſe the matter, but if we doe, let our well-meaning bee accepted, and our weakneſſe pardoned.

Two things, as we touched before, we conceive keep our deare brethren from cloſing together in one to promote the publique and generall Reformation.

Firſt, that point of Reformation which concernes the members of the Churches, and here wee feare the diſtance at preſent is great. For when it's thought, on the one hand, that there is no need of …ending godly Preachers to the ignorant and prophane Pariſhes to inſtruct them; humble them, and prepare them for a gracious Reformation, but that Paſtors (if they could bee found, ſhould bee ſent to them, and miniſter to them as they are, if they will but joyne in the nationall Covenant, as moſt have done, (for we ſee no other required) and when godly Paſtors may not have power to try their people whether they can examine themſelves, diſcerne the Lords body, and walke according to Chriſt, before they p. 19admit them to the Lords Table, nor may exclude them but upon ſome ſcandalous evill, which ſeemes ſhort of that which even the Common-prayer-booke did allow. Conſidering in what a ſtate multitude of Pariſhes are in England, how full of Malignants, Atheiſts, prophane Wretches, &c. wee muſt needs acknowledge it will bee very hard for the godly to ſatisfie their conſciences in ſuch Church-communion, or godly Paſtors to miniſter unto their Pariſhes in ſuch a ſtate, and therefore wee cannot wholly condemn ſuch Miniſters and people as have been gathered into congregations if there were no hope of remedy in this caſe.

Secondly, on the other hand, when ſome ſhall gather out of many Congregations the moſt godly and able Chriſtians into ſevered Churches, wee muſt acknowledge it may occaſion grief to the Miniſters of ſuch Congregations. But is there no middle way wherein according to God theſe two might meet▪ wee ſuppoſe there is. If the Lord would vouchſafe to help his people in theſe few things.

1 Is it not poſsible to obtaine of that …ver Renowned Parliament, not onelyonly ſuch liberty for godly Paſtors, and their Churches to debarre from the Lords Table ſuch as are not qualified according to the former deſcription of the Reverend Aſſembly▪ but alſo all favour and furtherance from Authority to purge out of the Church all ſuch according to rule, that live impenitently in any known ſinne and ſcandalous evill? we cannot doubt but that if brethren would agree with one heart to petition the ſame, ſuch as have done ſo worthily many things for purging the Houſe of God, would alſo promote this needfull point of Reformation.

2 If all the godly Miniſters would joyne as one man, and take unto them the zeale of John Bap. thundering out the direfull wrath of God againſt the pride, vanity, luxury, prophaneneſſe, and late ſwarmes of monſtrous errors, (the uſuall tares accompanying Reformation) and other ſinnes of p. 20the time, to lay all levell before the Lord; and with holy Calvin, reſolve to ſuffer their hands to bee cut off rather, then to deliver that holy ſeale of grace to the openly wicked and impenitent ſinner; how would the Lord goe out with his ſervants,Ʋid. Pet. Mart. Loc. Com. de Excom. and cut downe ſin by the ſharpe ſword of his Word, and ſeverity of Diſcipline, if all joyned together? Whereas we feare ſin and prophaneneſſe will out-ſtare all godly Paſtors, when they ſtand ſo much divided.

3 If theſe things being obtained and agreed, all godly Miniſters and Chriſtians, which are the ſalt of the earth, and might by the bleſsing of God ſeaſon the Congregations wherein they live, they would not caſt them off, or withdraw from them, till firſt by publike and private admonitions and exhortations they had convinced them of ſin, and ſought by all good meanes their reformation.

Whereby ſome no doubt might be gained, and what a bleſſed worke were that? And as for others that prove obſtinate and impenitent, there would bee juſt cauſe of rejecting them from the ordinances and ſociety of the Church; or if this part of the kingdom of Chriſt would not be born in Congregations, with how much peace and ſatisfaction to their owne ſoules, and to the conſciences of all, ſhould ſuch godly Miniſters and people withdraw themſelves from them, to a nearer communion one with another?

And ſhall wee not hope that England is capable of ſuch a Reformation as this, if Gods faithfull Miniſters would with one heart and mind endeavour the ſame? Farre, farre be it from our deare Countrey, after all thoſe notable ſteps unto Reformation, that it ſhould ſtick in this, which is the life of all the reſt. But if it ſhould bee ſo, that either the great ones ſhould bee too big to ſtoope downe to the Lord Jeſus in the wayes of his wholſome Diſcipline; or the multitude ſo carnall, worldly, wilfull, prophane, impenitent, as not to reforme themſelves, families, and ſo their congregations, p. 21humbly ſubmitting to the rule of Chriſt; or if the Miniſters (at leaſt, moſt of them) ſhould looke at preferment, honour, credit, riches, authority over the people, and not minde ſuch a work as this is: And this, after all the heavy, humbling, dreadfull judgements of God come upon the Land; after all the glorious out breakings of the light of the Goſpel in many parts of the Kingdome▪ after all the proteſtations, covenants, oaths, whereby ſo many have bound themſelves to this particular reformation of themſelves, and to further the reformation of the Publique; wee tremble to ſpeake it, but our hearts cannot but feare it, that woe, woe, woe will bee to poore ſinfull England. It ſeemes to us to bee a propheticall ſpeech of Mr. Bri…ly; long ſince at reſt with God, when lamenting the prophaneneſſe of England, with their connivence at Popery, and complyance with the wicked, he ſaith, That if the Lord of Hoſts doe call for them, (meaning the Popiſh faction) to riſe up againſt us in new conſpiracies, or open violence, and with them all the crew of wicked and ungodly men, in whom we have ſo delighted, to take part with thoſe to our deſtruction, (as they, it is to bee feared, will be as outragious as the other againſt all ſoundly fearing God) is it not juſt? yea if hee ſhould let them make it bellum prodigorum, the day of all the ſpend-thrifts, and of all the vile perſons of the Land, to have their fingers in every mans coffers, and their hands waſhed in the blood of them, whom they have hated, Brinſ Watch, part 3. cap… 10.ſo ſoon as ever any of the Babyloniſh deſignes ſhall take their effect, could wee wonder at it? And is not this fulfilled in theſe times? which wee wiſh may well bee laid to heart.

The ſecond thing which wee conceive may chiefly hinder this cloſing, is that point of Church government, which concernes the power and liberties of particular Churches or Congregations, and here wee muſt acknowledge the diſtance is p. 22too great. For … the one ſide▪ …ee … for either by Treatiſes, or by the Directory for Worſhip, that Congregations are acknowledged to bee compleat Churches, eſpecially ſtanding among other Churches, or that any power or liberty is given to them to adminiſter Church cenſures, no not ſo long as they adminiſter rightly according to the rule, but all ſuch power is when indeed from the Churches, though in words they are perſwaded that it is to ſtrengthen them; and if this alſo come down from the Catholick Church, and ſo to leſſer Synods, the greater part having power over the leſſe, as it were ſure divino, it will … …ore at the liberties and power of particular Churches. But what here to ſay of the diſtance on the other hand, wee cannot tell, wee ſee or read nothing, but that our deare and honoured Brethren doe freely imbrace communion of Churches in conſultation Synods, for the brotherly helpe of each other, and the weaker Churches; yea, and in a doctrinall way to declare the will of Chriſt, and to threaten his judgements againſt ſuch as ſhall refuſe wholſome counſell, and withdraw communion from ſuch as wilfully refuſe to heare what is propounded according to the minde of Chriſt.

And what ſhould we hereſay? but on the bended knees of our ſoules intreat our reverend Brethren to conſider what power any o… many Churches can challenge … another, to require them to give up their right to them, to rule in common, if a ſiſter Church purniſhed with Officers ſhall refuſe the ſame; or what rule bindeth the Churches of an hundred▪ or any ſuch civill diviſion to come into ſuch a combination with thoſe Churches, rather th…n others, fit but refuſing, Churches have juſt reaſons to object againſt ſuch Churches, or their Officers. We think the more voluntary and free ſuch conſociations are, the better. Here we ſhall be hold to propound this one thing, viz. Why may not the fifth and ſixth Articles of agreement publikely profeſſed to the world, in anſwer to the Prelaticall petition▪ obtaine amongſt our Brethren, that it may appeare to the diſappointment p. 23of their hopes, that the Treaties being downe, the agreement would be eaſie; as is there ſaid. Viz.

Ar. 5. Each particular Church hath her owne power and authority, and the uſe and benefit of all the ordinances of Chriſt, neither is there any thing to be done without the expreſſe or tacit conſent of the Congregation, in matters which are proper and peculiar to a particular Church, whether in election or ordination of Miniſters, or in admitting or excommunicating of members.

Ar. 6. It is in many reſpects expedient both for the members of each Church, whether Miniſters or people, and for the right governing and well-being of the particular Churches, in a Nation profeſſing Chriſtian Religion, that beſides their particular Aſſemblies and Elderſhips, they meet by their Commiſſioners, Miniſters, and Elders in greater Aſſemblies, that matters that concern all the Churches within their bounds reſpective may with common advice and conſent be agreed upon for their good and edification.

And we hope the Lord may yet have ſuch a mercy for England, if the crying ſins thereof bee not ſtill impenitently againſt this glorious ſhining light of the Goſpel, perſiſted in, which wee confeſſe is our greateſt feare, Godly Brethren wee hope would agree, if Englands ſins hinder not. We confeſſe it was the ſaddeſt newes that this yeare came unto our eares that the Kingdome of Chriſt is hardly like to obtaine, ſo much jealouſie there is, leſt the diſcipline of Chriſt ſhould croſſe the licentiouſneſſe of this age; yea, that generally there is no more regard of the ſolemn Covenant, eſpecially in perſonall reformation; then if it were never made, that many reject the reformations they ſeemed to deſire at the firſt. Theſe, with other ſad things come to our eares, which ſadden our ſpirits. Oh England! England! our beloved England▪ wilt thou not be made cleane▪ when will it once bee▪ wilt thou ſtill return the Lord Jeſus, (graciouſly ſtriving with thee for to ſave thee) p. 24ſuch an unkind anſwer, We will not have this man reigne over us? haſt thou not yet learned ſo much wiſdom, as to kiſſe the ſon, no not now when he is angry and the ſword in his hand? That voice of God ſoundeth oft in our eares, when wee thinke of England, Put off thine ornaments, that I may know what to doe unto thee; but for ought we heare, the pride of England did never ſo much teſtifie to their faces as now, when ſackcloth and aſhes were more ſuitable. The Lord humble the hearts of our deare Countrey-men, or elſe wee feare the yoake of Chriſt will never be born, and how the Lord Jeſus will beare and indure that, we tremble to think.

But what doe we thus to take upon us, and let looſe our Pen ſo far? pardon, we beſeech you, Chriſtian Reader, this ſeeming boldneſſe, it is our hearty affection to the peace and proſperity of our deare Countrey, and the Saints of God in it, that have drawn theſe things from us. Say not, what calling have theſe thus to admoniſh and cenſure us? Cenſure we doe not, (that we would doe onelyonly to our ſelves) but faithfully to admoniſh and exhort in the Lord, we hope we may preſume. Neither have we taken upon us this whole weighty worke, of our owne minds, but at the requeſt and call of divers our reverend Brethren, whoſe voice herein we looked upon as the voice of God; nor have wee accepted that call, out of any iuſt we have to contend, or enter the liſts of diſputation with any. Wee love the peace of the Churches, and unity and concord with all our deare and godly Brethren too well, to have any ſuch ends. And though wee are not unwilling to receive and conſider any returne that may bee made, and we hope with a mind to ſubmit to the truth; yet wee muſt profeſſe Two things chiefly inclined us to undertake this worke. Firſt, to cleare up ſuch truths as we conceive to bee according to the minde of Chriſt, which were obſcured by this Reply. Secondly, (and that eſpecially) hoping that what wee ſhould write, would tend rather to a peaceable healing of offences and differences, then otherwiſe; and therefore have preſumed p. 25to Preface thus farre, and ſo to preſent theſe our affectionate requeſts to our deare Brethren, and Country-men, which wee heartily recommend to their ſerious conſideration, and to the bleſsing of God, who onelyonly can incline the hearts of men, to attend to any thing of God ſet before them; though wee bee the meanest and weakeſt of many, to take upon us, thus to ſpeake to our deare Country-men, yet through the grace of Chriſt who put us into the Miniſtery, we have beſtowed a great part of our labour in theſe parts, neither (we hope) altogether in vaine; which makes us ſomewhat the more engaged and encouraged to write as we doe. And now having thus farre in this Epiſtle, and in the Booke following, teſtified our love to the truth, and deſires of the peace, unity, reformation, and proſperity of our beloved England, and the Churches of God therein, wee commend both to the conſideration of the Reader, and all to the grace and bleſsing of Chriſt Jeſus, and rest.

From New-England, Novemb. 28. 1645.

THO. ALLIN,

THO. SHEPARD.