A vindication of Churches, Title page – Dedication
A VINDICATION OF CHURCHES, COMMONLY CALLED INDEPENDENT: OR A BRIEFE ANSVVER to two Books; the one, intituled, Twelve considerable serious Questions, touching CHURCH-GOVERNMENT: The other, INDEPENDENCY examined, unmasked, refuted, &c. Both lately published by WILLIAM PRINNE, of LINCOLNES-Inne, Esquire.
By HENRY BURTON, a Brother of his, and late Companion in Tribulation.
MAT. 10. 34, 35, 36.
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law: And a mans foes shall be they of his owne houshold.
If any man will come after me, let him deny himselfe, and take up his crosse daily, and follow me.
Luk. 9. 23.
The second Edition. Entred and printed according to Order.
LONDON; Printed for Henry Overton, in Popes-head Alley. 1644.
To Mr. WILLIAM PRINNE, &c.
MY deare Brother, and late companion in tribulation, you propound your twelve Questions to all sober minded Christians, cordially affecting a speedy setled Reformation, and brotherly Christian union in all the Churches, (as you write in Front) and myselfe being one of these, (and no other you shall find me) doe with the right hand take your Propositions as made to me among the rest▪ craving your leave to returne you a brotherly Answer. And brotherly in nothing more, then by a candid and Christian dealing with you all along, and that also in a matter of such high moment, as concernes the kingdome and glory of Jesus Christ. The zeale whereof is that alone, which puts me upon this task; it being otherwise far beyond my thoughts, that you and I, having been fellow-sufferers, and spectacles to the world, upon that tragicall stage of Antichristian tyranny, should ever come upon the Theatre as Antagonists, one against the other, about the Kingdome of Jesus Christ. But surely as an Antagonist against you I come not, but in the bowells of a brother. And had not the Book had your name in the Front, my stomack had not stooped so low, as to take it up or downe. But because most men are apt to take all upon trust, where they find Mr. Prinnes name engaged: and the Cause being so precious, as it hath by right taken up my whole heart, to become an Advocate to plead the excellency of it: I could not, though the meanest of all, but for the love of Christ constraining me, and by his grace assisting, undertake this taske. Otherwise unwilling in hoc ulcere esse unguis, as the Roman Orator said in another case. And this Answer was brought to the birth soone after yours: but it wanted a Midwife, whereof you have plenty. And I have had many interruptions. Nor am I so quick of foot, as you. But I may say, as Ierome once to young Augustin; Bos lassus fortiùs figit pedem. And so in the spirit of love I come to your Booke.