A Sober Inquiry Into the Reasonings of the Serious Inquiry, Part 2 · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
The several ways for prevention of Church-Divisions mentioned by the Enquirer, considered. The Papal Methods: 1. Keeping the People in Ignorance. 2. An infallible Iudge. 3. Accommodating Religion to the Lusts of Men. Three other ways mentioned by the Enquirer. 1. Teleration. 2. Comprehension. 3. Instruction.
AS that Person will highly merit of this present Age, whose discerning eye shall discover, and his charity propound to the world such rational expedients, as may amicably compose our present differences, upon terms comporting with the Consciencious principles of the contending parties; so our fears of the success are justly greatned by the frequent disappointment of our hopes; Confident Pretenders posting up their Bills in every Corner, promising nothing less then miracles, but performing nothing more then pretences.
It is some encouragement to expect more then a Palliate Care from this undertaker, to see him fall to his business so like an Artist: It cannot be hoped (says he) that where the business is Religion, and the concern Eternal Life, that men should incuriously swallow every thing without moving any Question, or stirring any Debate. To which I subjoin, nor can it be expected that when they have moved the Question about the important concerns of Eternity, they should acquiesce in their own Question, without a satisfactory Answer: like that Governour who scorned to surrender before a Gun was shot off, but then thought it enough for his Credit to Capitulate.
Most men swallow their Religion, as the Insant does it… Pap, which has no other previous chewing, then what the Nurse gives it: and are driven into Profession just like a stock of Geese with no greater difficulty, then holding over their Heads the Ceremony of a Long Pole. And I will add further, that as this is not to be hoped from all: so neither is it desirable in any, That they should cease to be rational Creatures, before they become Christians.
The Enquirer had curiously and carefully searched all the Dispensatories, and out of those stores, promises us the choicest Medicines that may fit the Patients Case, and seem most practicable: And we cannot pray for a Physician better qualified, then one who is Master of many Remedies, and of a judgement to choose out those which are agreeable.
The Church of Rome has been an old Empirick; so noted a Quack, for a desperate Cure in a desperate Case, that the greatest civility we can allow her here, is that which we commonly give your Mountebanks; lend them a Hearing, and do as we see Cause.
She Glories indeed in her Unity and Peace, and it might invite a modest curiosity to desire a sight of that sympathetical Powder which has effected such wonders: And to satisfie you in one word its nothing but the Iesuites Powder, or a Great nothing in a Iuglers Box,
1. Her first prescription is Prophylactick, by way of prevention: the best of Remedies (no doubt) since its more desirable not to have needed, then having so, to have obtained the help of A…sculapius And it is nothing more then this plain, cheap, and easie Recipe. That the People be kept in profound Ignorance: Thus when the Philistines had put out Sampsons Eyes, they knew he would make a stout Mill-horse; Thus when the Empress Irene had plukt out her Sons Eves, who could see, she found it easie to set up Images which have Eyes, and see not. But our Enquirer looks upon this prescription as too strong a Narcotic, that it will not down in England, though it has done great feats in Italy and Spain, and the Uniformity of those Nations, is an unquestionable Certificate to avouch its excellency. And it's to be feared at present it will not: for some Learned Men are very confident, that our own English simples are more connatural to English Bodies, then the exotick Druggs of Pont…s, and that we have the true Dictamnum growing in our own Gardens, had we but skill to use and apply it.
But we ever doted upon forreign Novelties, and prize nothing that liberal nature has bestowed on us; King Lucius, the Glory of our Island, and the whole world, who first submitted his Crown of Gold to one of Thorns, and laid his Scepter at the foot of him who bore a Reed, not well instructed in the Riches of his own Dominions, must needs send to Rome for advice; Eleutherius good Man, who had not yet learnt how to make all Thrones depend upon his Infallible Chair, sends him this Answer, That there were already in Britain, the Old and the New …estament, out of which, by the Council of his Kingdom, he might take a Law to Govern it. Did England know its own strength, it's so well furnisht at home, that it might spare its Travels, and never cross the Seas, or climb the Alpes to seek new Models of Religion; The Holy Scriptures being (as Lirinensis well says) perfect, and abundantly sufficient for all things, yea and more then sufficient. And on this account too there would be less need of Trade and Navigation.
Two Reasons there are why our Enquirer thinks this Papal Dose of Ignorance will not be admitted in England.
§ 1. Because it comes too late: Ah! It's thousand pities that a Receipt of … fame should be like, post mortem Medi…na; but is there no hope left under the lid of Pan…ra's Box? T…e Church is a …uccessive Body; and …hough she m… b… … in her present Individuals, yet she may … and re… in those of the next Generation: The Disease is not …, but Chronical, and …ere may be some … roo… …or …vour. What if a Thousand or …wo more of … … sile… … …nd the labours of as many discourag…d …nd …? wh… … ctures were pro…ibed? private … … …d your Twicers suspended? If it perfo…m … that may be desired▪ it might effect more then co… be …: O… no! It comes too late! for the People of England … so … already, that the only way to Cure th… inconvenien…ies o… tha… is to let them know more: This is excel…ent indeed, when th… Poison becomes its own Antidote, and Death proves its own Cure, w…ch but in one only Case, the amazed world never yet saw, a…d will hardly yet believe; but thus they tell us of Quicksilver, that a little Dose will certainly kill, when a great o…e will Cure the twisting of the Guts, and th…se Intes…ine Dissentions which thence ari…e in the Bowels: yet so it is A little knowledge only ferments the natural pride of the Heart, which a round Quantity would wipe off, and carry away: or to express it more elegantly from our Authour: When men know a little, they con…it they understand all that's knowable, and here…pon refuse instruction, and oppose their private Opini…ns to the publick Wisdom: whereas, did these Men see further into things, they would then dis…ver a reason, of …any things they are now dissatisfied with, or at l…ast distrust their own Understandings, and grow modest and peaceable. It becomes every good Christian, and good Suject, (and he that is really the former, will certainly be …he latter) to suspect the shallowness of his own judgement, and to Revere the depth of his Governours Wisdom; he may be an useful Mariner, t…at is no skilful Pilot, nor knows how to steer the publick bottom; but I do not remember that we have been discoursing about the expedi…ncy of the transporting of Wool, the making of War or Peace, or the mysteries of Government, Quae supra nos, nihil ad nos; but our business is Religion, and the direct and immediate concerns of another Life: and how to Cure the Pride of the Understanding without putting out its Eye, and …aking it a P…lyphemus: And here, though I suspect not the shallowness of the Governours Judgement, I dare not Act against my own. I confess my self to seek in the great secret of a private and publick Wisdom, …s much as I am in that of the private and publick Conscience, a superstructure raised upon that foundation: Nor have I learnt the difference between the Roman Ignorance, and resigning my own R…ason, between darkness, and no use of Light; between having no private Reason, and renouncing it for the publick Reason in things directly respecting God and his Worship: The one is born blind, and the other has lost his Eyes; the one is the Romish Opiate, and the other a more gentle; (if more gentle) preparation of ….
§ 2. He answers Secondly. If it had come timely, yet the Remedy is worse then the Disease, we esteem it better if one be necessary, to …rr like men, then to be driven like Beasts, or Act…d like …ppets: An Heroick Spirit! and such as may assure us, that our Physician will not cast us into a Lethargi…, to prevent the Ravings of a Feaver; and that he will not follow that Bish…ps …thod, who had no other Cure for the Head-ake, then to cut it off.
I have read of a King of France, who was extreamly delighted in a Gentleman of his B…d-chamber, who had the proper Case of a Man▪ b…t his upper Rooms it seems, were but furnisht like …, wit… Lumb…r; T…is young Courtier by some accident, took an occasion to fall into a …, which elevating his B…ain …bove its natural and dull temper, to a due height requisite▪ or Raptures, created him ex tempore, a most accomplisht Poet: Physicians are al… …ummon'd, and they summon their Art to restore him to his form…r little self; success attends their Endeavours, and the Gentleman is at once delivered from his Distra…ion, and t…at …reater madness, Poetry: The King having lost the satisfa…tion he conceived in his Airy Fancies, and valuing a Mad Vi…oso before a sober Logger-head, threatens to hang 'em up every Mothers Son, unless they did presently recover him again to Wit, by putting him bes…des it: such Mountebanks there are in the World, who cannot keep Men peaceable, unless they make them …ocks and Stones.
2. A second … for …visions much used by the Romanists, is their Infallible Iudge, …o which, whosoever pretends on this side a Deity, needs only his own mouth to confute him; what follows in our Enquirer I read with much complacency The Scripture plainly t…lls us that all men are lyars, such as may deceive, or be deceived; and most undoubtedly would never h…ve made such a distinction of Christians, as strong men, and Babes in Christ, nor made it our duty to consider one anothers weakness, and practise mutual f…rbearance, if it had intended any where to direct us to such an Umpire; as should have ended all differences, and made all men equally certain. Much less, that the weak in judgement should be forced to keep pace with the strong in their practises; or that Babes should drive at the rate of grown men: Again, There …as (says he) a time when the Apostles had the assistance of the H…y Spirit, in such a manner as to guide them into all Truth, and gave miraculous proof that they had so, and yet this would not cure all the Schismes, nor resolve all the Scruples, nor silence all Disputes, It must needs therefore seem unreasonable for them, who confessing a fallibility of judgement, should yet as peremptorily bind their Deoretals upon the Consciences, as if they not only pretended to, but could give evidence of their infallibility: It's noted for one of the impudent Essays of Papal presumption and Hypocrisie, that he calls himself, Servus Servorum Dei, and yet Acts as if he were Rex Regum, & Dominus Dominantium. I never liked Jacobs smooth voice, when I felt Es… 's rough hands, and heavy Fists: when we hear of the Publick Wisdom and Conscience, and both fallible; and yet like Moses his Rod, swallowing up the private Wisdom and Conscience, because they are fallible, I rejoyce in the great Advantage of an Infallible God, who guides us by an Infallible Rule, to whom we may securely commit our Souls.
Nor can I see the so much boasted preheminence of their Infallible visible Iudge, above our certainly Infallible Rule; for whatever this Infallible Gentleman determines, it must come to our Cognizance either by word or writing, and then it amounts to no more then an Infallible Rule, and by consequence, lyable to mis-interpretations, and all the inconveniencies which they have unjustly charged upon the Word of God: which has been confirmed to us by Autopsy; for whatever have been his Determinations De fide, the Contenders retain their former sentiments, which they protest they would never do, were they assured in the true meaning of his Decrees.
Here I began first to suspect that this second part of the Enquiries could not possibly be the Child of the same Father with the former: For that other Enquirer assured us, that in the Primitive times, All good men were of one way, and All bad men of another: that there was but one division of men; that foreign & foreign, were the only Sects that the World was known by; but this Enquirer tells us, That there were Schismes, Divisions, Scruples, Disputes in those early days, which the Holy Spirit given to the Apostles in such a manner as to lead them into all Truth, would not Cure, resolve, nor silence.
Had the Apostles understood those frightful consequences which we have learnt to impute to diversities of judgement in lesser matters, with suitable variety in practise attending it, they might easily have silenced those disputes by the interposition of their Authority; and the Churches no doubt would as easily have acquiesced in the judgement of the Apostles, who could give irrefragable proof that they were sent of Christ.
Nor have these rigorous Decisions ever reacht their pretended ends, in healing differences, but only consopited them under the Ashes for a while, or taught men a little more craft to draw over the Articles to their private Opinions, rather then conform these to the publick belief.
Another Papal Remedy, is the Accommodation of Religion to the Lusts and Interests of Men, allowing them to think, believe, do any thing in the world, provided they be subject to the universal Pastor: for the Pope seeing that the World will not be brought over to him upon the Terms of Christ, is content to come over to the world in Morals, if they will but come over to him in his Ceremonials. Much what of the same good nature with that other grand Impostor Mahomet, who when that sullen Mountain would not stir a foot to come to him, very courteously answer'd, Then let us go to the Mountain.
Whether this Prescription will be agreeable to, or practicable upon English Constitutions, is a great Question; The Author of this Second part, concludes that we of this Church have too much simplicity and sincerity of Devotion to make use of this Remedy to put an end to our Distractions. And yet I find some have been tampering with it; who will be very strait laced in Ceremonies to gratifie the superstitious, and widen the moral part to humour the voluptuous: Thus if mens Lusts will not bend to the strait Rule of the Word, they can gently bow the Rule to their corruptions and crooked propensities: And the Author of the former part seeing well that Men are grown too Pursey to be crambt up with the Religious observation of the Lords-day, has pruden…ly accommodated the day to their latitude; They that have no great mind to keep a Christian Holy day, shall need but to call it a Iudaical Sabbath, and they are well fortified against all the checks of their Consciences. I know the Reader will pitty him that must contend with two such Adversaries, (Hercules himself would not engage a couple, but though they be Two, they have but one single weapon.
We want not some who can reconcile the levity of the Stage and Theatre, to the gravity and severity of the Christian Doctrine; that can teach men by their writings or practice, how they may retain these vanities, and never throw off their Baptismal Livery; and it is upon good Advice: for should they lose such numbers from the party, it would make a filthy Hole in it; and the weeding out such Tares would make a thin Field of Corn; and therefore some plead that they ought to grow together till the Harvest.
4. We are now come to the great and infallible Remedy, which the Pope trusts more to, then his great Infallibility; But there are considerable diversities about the form of this Medicine in the Dispensatories: some (as Mr. Necessity Bays) express it by a tedious Periphrasis, Axes, Halters, Racks, Fire, Faggot, with an Et catera, which has more in't then all the rest; but the Romanists, who are concise men, and love short work, and to express multum in parvo, have Epitomiz'd all in that one word, the Holy Inquisition, so called by the same Catachresis, by which we call our former Antagonist, the Compassionate Enquirer.
If you enquire a Reason of this various reading; know that it arises from the different Copies of the Dispensatories: The Pharmocopaeia of London calls it one thing, that of Rome Another; the Titles differ, but the Medicine is the same, only Rome, according to her old overdoing and undoing Humour, has added a few drops of the Spirits of Vitriol; And yet the last Edition of ours at the Old Bayly, re-assumes its former Title, and calls it downright, The Inquisition of Spain.
This Medicine is truly Soveraign; it has the Probatum of thousands who being dead yet speak, its answerableness to its primitive design, to silence all disputes, and stop the mouth of all gain-sayers; when all is done, there's no Argument convinces so effectually as Stone-dead; The wild-Irish themselves will believe their Enemy to be dead, when his Head lies sever'd a Yard from his body; But the Question will be still, whether it will down with English-men? for though they have good Beef Stomacks, they want that of the Ostrich to digest Axes and Halters: There's no Question but it will go down well enough with them that give it, but it needs the assistance of much Rhetorick to perswade them into a willingness of mind, who are to take this wallowish potion: If we could agree who should be persecuted, there are enow could be content to be the persecutors, and this is one of the greatest Quarrels.
That the Genius of this Nation (as our Enquirer informs us) is so couragious, and withal so compassionate. I am very glad to hear; the one part so tender hearted that they will not inflict, the other so tender Conscienced that they will endure what shall be so in…icted, rather then prostitute them to the lust and tyranny of men; but then I must conclude, that some of our Church-men, are either no English-men, or no Christians, whose tender mercies have been Cruelties, and whose compassions like Draco's Laws written in blood; And I rejoyce to meet with these concluding words: The exercise of so much cruelty upon the Account of Religion in Q Maries days hath made that profession detestable to this day, and it looked so ill in the Romanists, that we shall never be perswaded to practise it our selves: Had we but now an exact Definition of Cruelty, we should soon be satisfied whether the Enquirer would not perswade Another to it, if not be perswaded to it himself.
None of the Romanists Expedients then will work this blessed Cure, they are either Impracticable, or come too late, or are worse then the Disease, or one mischief or another, There are therefore three others, which he will mention, Universal Toleration, Comprehension, and Instruction and Consideration
1. The first is Universal Toleration. But here the Doctors Man, whom he sent a simpling, was horribly mistaken. And like Elisha's Servant whom he sent to gather good wholesome Pot-hearbs, has imprudently pickt up your poysonous Colequintida; An oversight that might have lost the Patient his Life.
Universal Toleration? I have observed English Spirits to bear some secret Antipathy to these Universals; They like not either Universal Bishop, nor Universal Monarch, nor Universal Grace, nor Universal Admission, nor this Universal Toleration. But what if he had omitted This Universal in the Receipt? There may be a Toleration of what is Tolerable; whatever disturbs not the publick Peace; whatever contradicts not the Scriptures, the Creeds, whatever crosses not the great ends of Religion, whatever is peaceable, holy, humble, just, modest, righteous, though perhaps not Ceremonious: This Corrected Toleration has been given with Admirable success in the primitive and purer times; It fills up both pages in the Apologies of Iustin Martyr, Athenagora…, and Tertullian, who pleaded for a Toleration of their Innocent profession: It is the main ingredient in that famous Mass of Pillulae sine quibus esse nolo, nay of Pillulae sine quibus esse nequeo. The Scripture (said the Enquirer just before) has made it our Duty to consider one anothers weakness, and practice mutual forbearance: and what forbearance is without Toleration I do not understand. Had the Imposing Spirit obtained in the Infancy of the Church, they had saved the Heathens a labour, and destroyed each other; He might safely therefore in his Irenicon have used from a Scruple to a drachm of this Toleration; 'Tis the Herb Gratia Dei, the great fraenum cholerae, which Addulces the blood, begets good Spirits, restrains surley Humours, and sweetens the Tempers of one Christian towards another.
'Tis not the opening … Pantheon, but not shutting up the Temple of the one true God; not a licenciousness to blaspheme, but a liberty to glorifie our Redeemer that we plead for; 'tis a priviledge that every one has a claim to, That the Lives and Souls of them that have not wronged their Country may be secure in it: If the works of the flesh be found amongst us, Adultery, Forn…cation, Uncleanness, Lasciviousness, Idolatry, Witchcraft, Hatred, Variance, Emulation, Bitterness, Strife, Seditions, Herefies, Envyings, Murders, Drunkenness, Revellings, and such like. We plead not for the guilty; only let the innocent find mercy at home, who in other places might expect a Reward. Is he a meet person to undertake the Healing of our Breaches, to compose our differences, that cannot distinguish between a Toleration in Ceremonies, and the Tolerating of Idolatry? that knows not the nice difference between Tolerating every thing and nothing? If it be all one to Indulge in things confessed Adiaphorous at best, and the necessary duties of the Decalogue, talk no more of Healing; He must prove a Physician of no value, that when the balm of Gilead drops into his mouth, knows not how to Apply it.
2. The second propounded Remedy, is an excellent Opener, known to this present age by the name of Conprehension, which in our Authors Glossary signifies, The making the Terms of Communion more free and easie, opening the Arms of the Church, to receive more into her Bosom, thereby to enlarge both the Society and Intrest of the Church: and one would think that so much Reason coucht in so few words, might have vindicated the Receipt above contempt, and recommended it to a probationary experiment; selfpreservation would make a harsher medicine then this go merrily down; If any thing make a Building strong, that must be carried to such a vast Height, that must bear such a weight, that shall be exposed to such shaking Winds, it must be a proportionable widening the foundation: But let us hear our Betters.
§ 1. For my part (says he) If such a Course please our Governours, I have no mind to oppose any thing to it. They are infinitely obliged to him, surely, that if they please to shew kindness to tender Conscienced Subjects, he will not oppose, not declare against them. This is a Moderation far beyond Mr. Bayes's hotter temper; he will tell them: If they will Rule, they must, they must, they must,—but is this all? I had thougt he had brought with him Licentiam ad practicandum, A Commission to prescribe, and now I see he can do nothing without the Colledge: but what now if such a wholesome course please not, though it profit, might it not have become a Compassionate Enquirer, to have forwarded them with a humble Hint or two of their interwoven Interest and Duty? when he preaches so admirably upon those points of Reverence, Contentment, Submission, Charity, and has shewn his skill in the Theory, does he use to Rivet it no better then thus? If these virtues please my Auditors, I have no mind to oppose; If you will be chartiable, you may for all me, I'le promise you I shall never study your ruine, and plot your destruction. If Church-Governours please to enlarge the Society and Interest of the Church; If they please to strengthen it against … Enemies abroad, and procure it peace and contentment at home, he will not oppose: The best natur'd man that ever was in the World!
They who are Governours of the Church, are bound in Con…nce to make the Terms of Communion eas… and free; not to make the Yoke heavier then Christ made it. They that came in easily, ought to let others in upon the same Terms: whoever they were that first clogg'd the Churches Communion with multitudes of unnecessary Conditions, are like him that receiving a clear Estate of Inheritance from his Father, leaves it encumbred, and charged to his Son, who perhaps may never be able to take off the Mortgage, and so shall thank his Father for just nothing: Christ made the way to Heaven narrow enough, and there's no need to make it straiter: Governours in the Church may easily mistake in the Quantity of their power, but this is sure. How great soever it be, they have all for Edification, none for Destruction. They ought not to reject those whom Christ will receive; And a little plain English would here have done no hurt, but have been Acceptable to the best of Church-men, whose misery it is, to have many flatterers about them which let them know their virtues, but few faithful Monitors, who will acquaint them with their Duty.
§ 2. He desires it may be Considered, that there are many things that look very probably in the general notion and speculation, that would flatter one into a great opinion of them, which when they come to be …ycd, are no ways answerable: Therefore never attempt any thing that wears the Appearance of Honourable to the Worlds end: the benefits may possibly exceed, as well as fall below expectation. It was Davids counsel to Solomon, Up, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee! There are many things which in the generalnotion and speculation would terrifie one with appearances of Inconveniencies, which when they come to be tryed, were the suggestions of Cowardice. Thus Children in the Twi…ght, seeing every object through the spectacles of their own fears, make that a Bear, which Nature calls a harmless Bush.
§ 3. But many difficulties occur in the Reducing things of this Nature into practise; that were not foreseen in the Theory; And many blessings and mercies may and will occur, which will overweigh the difficultes in attaining them: the difficulties momentany, the advantages perpetual; the inconveniencies personal, the benefits general, the prejudices to some sew mens too much plenty, the Advantages to many mens Souls. It's a strange resolution, that we will not endeavour to be happy, for fear we should encounter a difficulty in the way thither; If the knot cannot be untied, Alexanders Sword will cut it, to withdraw from Apparent Duty, for fear of uncertain danger, is but like his, that would not shoot the Bridge, because it might possibly fall on's Head. Those accidents which can neither be foreseen nor prevented in doing a good work, are by wise men not to be regarded: I never hear such Arguments used against the Attemps for preferments: I shall judge them real in their Declamations against Comprehensions, when they use to discourage themselves from the same Difficulties in seeking great things for themselves. The Sluggard cries out. There's a Lion in the way, when it's nothing but his own lazie Soul, that paints out dread and terrour to his Imagination: let none hereafter …at, because he may possibly find his death, where he sought his life: let none Travel, because he may be robb'd, nor ride on Horseback, because he may possibly get a fall: There's nothing truly Glorious, but must be waded to through difficulties, but some secret Lusts commonly pretend them greater then they are.
§ 4. This is not done, (says he) and we do not know when it will be set about. That is, we will use the means when the end is effected: How happy had the Christian World been, if the first Imposers of Ceremonies had acted by those principles: suen conditions are not imposed, and we know not when they will therefore we will never begin: But though it be not yet done, I know when it will be: When God shall open the Eyes of Church men to see the things that belong to their Duty, and the Curches peace; when all our totterings and shakings, shall have humbled us into more Condescension and Evangelical tenderness; When men shall see it both their Interest and Duty to secure the Building by enlarging the foundation; and that the security and stability of Society, lies in the Close Union of the parts, that the Beauty of a Church consists much in the amplifying of the fold; Then will something of this nature be done, for which all generations shall call the Authors Blessed.
3. If then none of these Remedies be practicable, what must the languishingh Patient do? There is yet one thing more, which is like those Cordials we use to drop into the Mouths of the dying to procure the old admired foreign, and that is Instruction or Information. It's pitty the poor Clinical Church should dye under so many hands, and in the view of a whole shop of Medicines, and therefore rather this then nothing, which that it may be effectual, it will be necessary to consider, 1. Who are meet to give, 2. Who ought to receive Instruction, 3. From what grounds the instructions are to be setcht. 4. What other means may possibly be administred.
§ 1. It's very considerable who are to be the Instructors, and called into the Consultation? for every one would be in the Chair, and none willing to be Auditors. The Brethren of the Episcopal perswasion having got the priviledge of Law, take it for granted that they are the only persons meet for this service; whereas, if the Doctrine, Worship, and Discipline of the Dissenters, should prove nearer to the prescript of Scripture, no subsequent Law can possibly set it further off: That which was better before the Ordinance of Man, cannot be made worse by it; Let therefore neither the one nor the other be the Instructers, but let the Word of God Instruct both: And this was the expedient of Constantine the Great at the opening the Council of Nice; He did not turn the Scale by his Authority; but delivers himself thus impartially to the wrangling factions. All seditions Contention set aside (says he) let us discuss the things in Controversie by the testimony of the divinely inspired Scriptures, as we are informed from the Cath, Moderator: And it was Austin's great reserve when he was pressed with the inartificial Argument of Authority, Ne audiantur haec verba, Ergo dico & tu dicis, sed quid dicit Dominus. Tell not me what you say; any more then I tell you what I say, but let us both hearken to what God shall speak. Quod enim (as Hierom) de sacris Scripturis non habet authoritatem eâdem facilitate, contemnitur, quā proponitur; Whatsoever is not grounded upon the Scriptures, may with as much case be slighted as 'tis urged.
§ 2. Its material too, who are to be instructed? It's presumed by our Enquirer, that the Dissenters alone want a word of Advice, they only are Crooked; but whatever they want, as they will submit to, and be thankful for wholesome Counsel, so they conceive a word of Instruction will be necessary another way. When the Non-conformists are come to the End of their Tedder, when Conscience will suffer them to Advance not one step further. Others will need an Use of Instruction too, to go to the End of theirs: such Instruction as this of our Enquirers, The Creditor can give his Debtor whom he laid fast in Ludgate: Truly Friend! You have been reputed a discreet person, I wonder at you, and so do all that know you, that you will be so little a Friend to your case, so obstinate against liberty, as to lye reezing your self in a smoakie hole, you ought to submit your private judgement to that of the generality of mankind. who with one voice agree, that the fresh Air is much sweeter then this nasty Lodging! How much more proper had it been to have expostulated with this Cruel Creditor, Sir! The poor man has paid you all he has, he is not worth a groat more in all the world, you may have his skin, but flesh he has none, shew now your Charity, and since he cannot release himself, but you may, shew your Charity. The Dissenters say this is their Case: they cannot come up to the propounded conditions without sin, the Imposers may abate of the Conditions without sin, and therefore they are the proper Subjects of Instruction: Indeed I find the Non-conformists very shy in charging the Terms to be sinful; they are loath to speak a word that may be interpreted any reflection upon the Church, and therefore commonly insist upon other pleas: but when Importunity shall extort it from them, they must deal liquidly, and assert, that they cannot do these things, and sin against God thereby.
§ 3. From what grounds will this Instructer draw his Instructions? I do the rather propound it, because I meet with great variety of them: some say, Master, save they self; and to this they answer, my Scul is my self, and if the Soul be lost, the man is lost. Others cry, oh be very tender of Peace! and they reply, yes, and a little of Truth too. Others exclaim, you will bring in Pop…y! And they return, we did not make the Terms of Communion; They that speak thus, are more Zealous to keep us out then Popery: The Arguments then must be drawn from such heads as are agreeable to the fixed Scripture principles of those that come under instruction. Otherwise the Advice is no more but this: Come over to our party, and there will be Peace! why, so there will (reply the Dissenters) if you come all over to ours, or to any third party, There would be a Peace, an ill Cemented, ill grounded one; and such, as upon every occasion would bre…k out in a more desperate Rupture.
§ 4. It's very considerable what this Gentleman … …, … his Instruction should prove Addle; For if neither a well … tressed Toleration, cramped down soundly with wholesome Law…, nor yet a due Comprehension will be admitted; The condition of Dissenters would yet be supportable, if they might be kept to this wholesome Kitchin Physick of Instruction: But his Instructions look very like those of Spain, who use to exhort and instruct the poor wr…tches caught in the Iron Claws of the Inquisition; to be pittiful to their Souls, not to throw away their Lives, and presently shut up their last words with the flames. What the Operation of this Instruction may be, I cannot tell; but the Dissenters I perceive have their last propositions sent in, and the next is Escalado; for he tells us, p. 214. That if they will not be instructed, he sees no Obligation upon the Magistrate to forbear to make or execute such Laws as he apprehends for the good of his Government: so that after all his experiments, and great shew of skill in healing, he is wheeled about to that last, and worst of Papal Remedies, which some call Axes, Halters, Gibbets, Racks, Pillories, Imprisonment, others the Holy Inquisition; which is just the plea of the Papists for all their Barbarities: That if the People will not be perswaded, they see no Reason why the Church should not deliver th… …er to the secular powers to be burne for Hereticks.