Reply to the Dean of St Pauls Reflections on the Rector of Sutton, Notes on letter 3
Upon the Third Letter from Monsieur Claude.
ADD P. 439. Tho he says, the distinction betwixt the Bishop and Priest is very Antient; yet had he been required to own this Distinction, as grounded on the Word of God, and to assert the Right of Episcopacy as of Apostolical Institution, I very much question, whether this would not have gravelled him.
Add P. 440. I believe, there are very few to be found amongst us, that question the Ordination of all ordained by Bishops. And many would be glad, if it was permitted, that some of you would sometimes help us in our Meetings.
Where he speaks of Christian Unity and Concord, to my poor understanding Mr. Corbet speaks more soundly, accurately, and distinctly.
P. 441. He is expressly against Tyranny over the Soul, and Mens forcing the Conscience, by imposing a necessity to believe that which they believe, and to practise that which they practise (where we must suppose the things themselves are not necessary.) And according to what follows, in this case, The external Communion ceases of right, and there is not any that is lawful to be had any more with such. Was there not need of an Index Expurgatorius here? This makes something for Dissenters, and pinches some where else. And what follows that, [We do not believe that a single difference of Government or Discipline, nor even a difference of Ceremonies innocent in their own Nature, is a sufficient occasion to break the sacred bond of Communion] is little to your purpose. I think, a single difference of Ceremonies should not break Communion, where there is an Vnion in the same Faith, and in things necessary. But there is more than a single difference of Ceremonies, where no difference is allowed, but the same Ceremonies are imposed on all, tho one part cannot look on them as innocent Ceremonies.
P. 442. Speaking of the Protestant Churches in France, he says, We utterly disapprove and see with Grief, certain Extreams, whereinto some of the one side, and the other do cast themselves. The one looking upon Episcopacy as an order so absolutely necessary, that without it there can be no Ecclesiastical Society, &c.
Then according to them, there may be true Churches, true Ministers, without Bishops. And as they are ready to receive Ministers Episcopally ordained, (p. 440.) so they should think it an Extream, if we will not own such for Ministers, as have been ordained by a Presbytery, (and that when there were not Bishops at hand to ordain.) If we will force such to be reordained, or will not admit of them as Ministers, this is an Extream with them.
Add P. 443. Let not Men domineer over their …th and Consciences, (a thing destructive to Religion) and I hope they would not be for rejecting the Bridle of Discipline, nor for shaking off the whole yoke of Government, nor for depriving themselves of the Succours which might be drawn out of a general Vnion, for to strengthen them in the true Faith and in true Piety. But they cannot apprehend that the things imposed will ever contribute any thing to either of th…se.
Pag. 444. He seems to suppose, they are kept off, only from an Apprehension of some unpleasant Inco…eniencies in the Episcopal Government: whereas generally it is not the Government it self, but some particular Matters imp…sed, which they cannot with a good Conscience submit unto, which causes the distance.
So, add P. 447. Tho I have opportunity of conversing with very few, yet I cannot think there is a Man, of all those that believe the Presbyterian Government is more agrable to Scriptu…e-Rule, than our Prelatical, that stands off meerly because he cannot have what in his Judgment he prefers, as the better Government. So what he says towards the end of the same pag… [The Question here is not about the esse, …r the bene esse, but only about the me…us esse, tha… they dispute with you] fully proves, … as I said) …h… indeed they know not the true state of our Case, as we see plainly, he is quit… beside the Point we stick at.
Now I look back a little again.
Add P. 445.—The Bond of Christian Charity doth not only joyn us with some of our Brethren, but with all our Brethren, to receive from them, and to give them Edification by living together in the same Communion.
Then let the World judg (by this Rule) who have most Christian Charity, You … the Non-con…ormisis. Many of these hear and joyn with you, so … they can, and have opportunity; whereas few or none of you will hear, … joyn with them. And yet you are sometimes pleased to … B…thren.
… follows, it still appears, h… understood not the Case, or was beside …. …w many that …pp… not of the Government, yet could submit to it, did … require any thing but what they are satisfied is agreeable to the Wor…? And both parts agree, that God's Word ought to be the Rule of our …. What …se is there considerable, I have more fully debared with you be…ore,
Add Pag. 446 To imagine that we cannot with a good Conscience be present at Assemblies, but only when we do fully and generally approve of all things in them, it is certainly not to know neither the use of Charity, nor the Laws of Christian Society.
But what if a Church requires Ministers and Christians to declare their Approbation of Things they cannot approve of, and to practise that in the Worship of God, which (in their Judgment) ought n…t to be practised? Is not this a different Case? Would not this be contrary to true Faith and Piety? And are not such so far cut off from the Communion of that Church, by what he says in the beginning of that Page? That is not allowable for such to do, which yet they look upon as tolerable in others, who are otherwise perswaded in their Minds abut the same.
Add P. 447. I cannot believe that there is any one among them that looks upon your Episcopacy, or your Discipline, or certain Ceremonies which you observe, as Blots and capital Errors, which hinder a Man from obtaining Salvation.—Something was spoken to this, in the Answer to the first Letter. So I say still, they are not so well satisfied about these, as to give a true Assent unto them, and then to declare their Assent, would be foul Dissimulation. They know not how easily others get to Heaven by their Conformity: But if they conformed against their Consciences, they know not how they should ever come there without Repentance.
Then pag. 448. he comes to put in a good Word for us. I hope you will not be wanting in the Duties of Charity, and the Spirit of Peace, and that when the Dispute shall be only of some Temperaments, (as if the Dispute had not been of these all this while) Or of some Ceremonies that are a Stumbling-block (and yet innocent things) and which in themselves are nothing in comparison of an intire Re-union of your Church under your holy Ministry, you will make it seen that you love the Spouse of your Master more than your selves; and that it is not so much from your Greatness and your Ecclesiastical Dignity that you desire to receive your Glory and your Joy, as from your pastoral Vertues, and the ardent care … take of your Flocks.
Now I had thought, that all the Dispute or Difference betwixt you, and the Non-conformists, had been only about some Ceremonies, and the like things; I mean, such as in themselves are nothing in comparison of an intire and happy Vnion. Were but such things removed, or no such things imposed, I should hope, you would be soon united and agreed. He that understands not, that it is the strict and rigorous imposing of such things, (which the Imposers might lawfully take off, and we cannot lawfully submit to) which keeps up the Difference amongst us; I say, he that understands not this, and does not consider, and speak to it, he cannot be supposed rightly to consider our Case. And yet how obvious is it, that this is quite over-looked here, not once seriously debated in any of these three Letters?
And therefore, as I before appealed to you, as Iudg, whether we were not misrepresented here, and you have judged the matter already; so I shall expect, that in the next Impression of this your Impartial Account, you will take care, these Letters may be left out. You cannot but know, that they were no competent Iudges betwixt us, who had only heard one Part, and seem wholly ignorant what the other Part hath to plead for themselves. Here I remember what you say, Preface, pag. 35. (of one you speak of there) But I must do the Author that Right, to declare, that before his Death, he was very sensible of the Injury he had done to some worthy Divines,—and begged God and them pardon for it. So would I have you to do these worthy eminent, learned Divines, and us also that write, to smother their Letters, as soon as you can, if you do no more. Otherwise though I may not live, or have liberty to call you partial, the World may account you so.
And yet observing every one of them to have some touch for Moderation, Charity, some Temperament, and the like, if a Council of such as these were called, and once thorowly understood our Cause, I should not doubt of their determining for us. (I have respect to what you say, Pref. p 77.) And to come nearer to you yet, If a Council could be called of all the Protestant Churches in Christendom (and let any one of these be set in the Chair,) that would indifferently hear what both Parts have to say, (I would only exclude such as you, for what you say, Rat. Acc. p. 292. and 338. What Justice or Reason is there, that the Party accused, should sit Judg in their own Cause? None of the Parties accused seem fit to you, either to be Iudg, or Iury, and with this Caution only) I should not distruct our Cause, if such a Council had the hearing of it.
One thing more I learn from these Letters, viz. When I see that such eminent learned Divines are so mistaken, and drawn to misrepresent so considerable a numb…r of their Brethren, living in the same Age with them, and not very far remote from them; it satisfies me how much more easy it was for the Romish Party, being uppermo… in the World, to cloud and obscure those, who at any time appeared against their Err…rs and Corruptions. As the Lord Faulkland (Answer to Mr. Montague p. 281) If he consider the great Industry of his Church in extinguishing those whom they have called Her…ticks, and also their Books, so …hat we know scarce any thing of them, but from themselves (who are too partial to make good Historians) if he consid…r how carefully they stop Men's Mouths—. But here I shall stop my Pen. So much to these Letters.
Yet for a Conclusion, I have a few Words more particularly to you. Now,
Reverend Sir,
Be not offended at my plainness. I hope 'tis for the Interest of the true Protestant Religion, that I appear in this Cause, (how weak, and unworthy soever.) My Charity, (I speak my heart) is not confined to a Party, no, not so set upon that, which you would call my own; but where I have reason to believe others of a different Perswasion are more holy, and live more like Christians, I would esteem, love, and honour such more. I am not conscious to my self of wishing you the least harm, or enjoying your Dignities, or Estate. Live or dye, sink or swim, however things go with me and mine, I hope, it is my Hearts desire, it may go well with the Church and People of God. I see the Protestant Interest in a lamentable, tottering State. Methinks, all that are true Friends to it should readily yield, it would stand firmer on ample Ground, (Terms of Communion of a due latitude) than on such a narrow Bottom, that admits not of a Multitude of sound Christians, who would be firm to it. Yet the latter of these you plead zealously for, (though it is plain, your dividing them from you, by unnecessary, uncatholick Terms, must needs weaken both you, and them.) This I cannot but be sensible of, and think it my Duty to lament.
Unless the Lord shall incline you to a more moderate Course, than you have lately taken, in reference to Dissenters, I know I may expect a fiercer Assault from you. But I know as well what Ground I stand on, and further am bold to say, you cannot hope for Success in this Cause, without first destroying a considerable part of your own Works, (not only pulling down your Ireni…um, a good Sconce, however now slighted; but also sadly battering and shaking that goodly Fabrick, your main Fort, the Rational Account too.) And if you causel…sly destroy, what you had so well built, and what is fortified and strengthened with so much Reason, will you not make your self a Transgressor? And may not this add something to the grief of your Wound (as Aejop has it of the Eagle) to be shot with your own Feathers.
Yet Reverend Sir) I would be more concerned far, on other Accounts for you. Refrain now from these Men, and let them alone; for if the Work wherein they are employed be God's Work▪ then you cannot seek to overthrow it, but therein you will be found a Fighter against God. Oh! be well advised what you do further this way. You may be under a sore Temptation, seeing your self so far engaged in this Cause, possibly you may think, it would be a Dishhonour now to retract. But if by this Undertaking of yours, you seek to deprive very many Souls of the ordinary means of Salvation, (forbidding us to preach to Sinners that they might be saved); if thus you set your self in some measure to obstruct the Course of the Gospel; if you so far oppose the Interest of Christ, (your great Lord and Master) if you are against what may be truly called God's Worship, and truly Religious Exercises, be assured, this shall not be for your Honour in the End. For the Lord has said, Them that honour me, I will honour; and they that despise me, shall …e lightly esteemed. And you know further, our Lord Jesus Christ hath denounced a sad Wo unto such as take away the Key of Knowledg from M…n.
And ought you not to think seriously of it, whether you may not be accounted to have a special Hand, in procuring what further Opposition and Sufferings, your poor Brethren may meet withal? If …en should be animated, and set on by your Writings, to fine, impoverish, imprison, &c. them (being falsly persw…d, that in persecuting them, they should do God and his Church good Service) can you be found altogether clear in this matter?
And is it not a dangerous thing, not only to scand…lize and injure a Prophet, or eminent Saint and Servant of God, but … offind the least and weakest Believer? Mar. 9. 42. Whosover shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, &c. There we see, Christ makes not a light matter of it.
You may go on censuring such, as guilty of as great a Sin as Murder, when nothing but a fear of sinning kee… them from d…ing as you would have them. But when you have said …ll you can against them, and tho you will not allow them to be Members of any Church upon Earth; yet with all your Authority (was it greater) you cannot shut them out of Heaven, you cannot separate them from Christ; As P. Martyr, Caeterum dic…nt quicquid velint, …quam efficient qui… vivdentes & …ertes ad praescrip…um Verbi Dei s… faelices. The best of it is, they may be happy, for all that you can ever say, or do. Yea, though they were supposed under some Misapprehensions, as suppose Conformity lawful in …self; yet their Non-conformity, and Non-compliance with you, through▪ Conscientious Tenderness is better than a rash, precipita…, or dissem…ling▪ hypocritical Conformity would …e. And thus endeavouring (as near as they can) to keep to the Rule of the holy Scripture, avoiding what they cannot but suspect is not according to that Rule they may be in a safer way, than if they were in external Communion with you. And so much I have from my Lord Faulkland too, (p. 287.) By that Rule, whosoever regulates his Life and Doctrine (or Belief) I am confident, that though he may mistake Error for Truth in the way, he shall never mistake Hell for Heaven in the End.
And yet further, should you not consider, whether it be not more agreeable to the Revealed Will and Mind of Christ, that you should suffer some Ta…es to grow, rather than pluck up good Corn with them?
Reverend Sir, It having so happened, that poor I have been called out (among others an hundred times fitter) to shew my Opinion touching the Matter you have started, I cannot but think, as I here declare (so far as my Judgment serves) you might have employed your Time, your Learning and Parts to much better purpose, than you have done in this late Piece of Work. Surely my Life would be but sad to me, if I could not find more pleasing Work than this, that you have been an Occasion of engaging me in. And yet I hope to have more Comfort in it, at the great day of Accounts, than I can conceive you to have of yours in that Day. If you lay the Vnity …f Christians upon Conformity too, or Vniformity in doubtful and suspected, if not unlawful Practices, a general Vnion can never be had, or hoped for. If you would make the way to Heaven narower than Christ has left it, many will be forced to leave you here.
But now if you would henceforth propose and promote an Vnion amongst Christians u…on Catholick Ierms, we are for you, and would heartily joyn with you. And as that most learned and pious Bishop Vsher (Serm. of Vnivers. of the Church, and Vnity of Faith p. 43, 44.) If at this d…y we should take a Survey of the several Professions of Christianity, that have any large Spread in any part of the World,—and should put by the Points wher in they did differ one from another, and gather into one Body the rest of the Articles wherein they all did generally agree; we should find that in th…se Propositions, which without all Controversy are universally received in the whole Christian World, so much truth is contained as, being joyned with holy Obedience, may be sufficient to bring a Man unto everlasting Salvation. Neither have …e cause to doubt▪ but that as many as do walk according to this Rule,—Pe…e shal… be upon them, and Mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Now there…or… do, as he says, (ibid. p. 18.) We for our parts dare not abridg this Gra…t, and limit this great Lordship, as we conceive it may best fit our own turns; but …ave it to his own Latitude, and seek for the Catholick Church, neither in this Part nor in that P…ece. but among all that in every place call upon the N…m… of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.
And if a Zeal for such a general Comprehension, and happy Vnion of Christians will (to use the Words of Mr. de L'Ang…e p. 424.) bri…g down a thousand Blessings of Heaven and Earth upon those that shall contribute the most unto it resolve now, and hence forward to put forth your self this …ay; Put in for your share of Blessings.
I remember, I concluded my former writing with a Collect borrowed from you. Here I would say Amen to that Prayer, with which Dr. Potter shuts up his Answer to Charity mistaken, [That it would please the Father of Mercies to take away out of his Church all Dissention and Discord, all Heresies and Schisms, all Abuses and false Doctrines, all Idolatry, Superstition and Tyranny; and to unite all Christians in one holy Bond of Truth and Peace, Faith and Charity; that so with one Mind and one Mouth, we may all joyn in his Service,—] I add no more, but that the Father of Lights would so direct your Studies, and Course, that you may do nothing against the Truth, but for the Truth; which is the Prayer of,
Reverend Sir, Your humble and faithful Servant, Iohn Barrett.
I more wish, than hope, that of these sad Controversies here will be, The END.