The Interest of England in the Matter of Religion, Essays 1 · Section 5 – Section 7
Section V.
As concerning their true Character, the Notation of the name whereby they are called is both too shallow and too narrow for it. The word Presbyterian hath not sufficient depth to go to the root of the matter, nor breadth sufficient to comprehend this sort of men. That Form of Ecclesiastical Government by Parochial and Classical Presbyteries, Provincial and National Assemblies, is remote enough from their main Cause, and those firm bonds that make them eternally one, in respect whereof many that approve a regulated Episcopacy will be found of their number. For there is a vast difference between the ancient Episcopacy, and the height of Prelacy or Hierarchy of the latter times. This later only is the true opposite of Presbytery. And so they may not abhor to be named in several respects both Presbyterian and Episcopal, yet not Prelatical. Some of them commend, and I think most of them here in England allow in order to peace, Episcopum Praesilem non Principem. Wherefore as concerning their main and rooted principles, they admire and magnifie the holy Scriptures, and take them for the absolute perfect Rule of Faith and Life, without the supplement of Ecclesiastical Tradition; yet they deny not due respect and reverence to venerable Antiquity. They assert the study and knowledge of the Scriptures to be the duty and priviledge of all Christians, that according to their several capacities being skilfull in the word of Righteousness they may discern between good and evill, and being filled with all goodness may be able to exhort and admonish one another: Yet they acknowledge the necessity of a standing Gospel Ministery, and receive the directive authority of the Church not with implicite Faith, but the Judgement of discretion: They hold the teaching of the Spirit necessary to the saving knowledge of Christ: Yet they do not hold that the Spirit bringeth new Revelations, but that he opens the eyes of the Understanding to discern what is of old revealed in the written Word; They exalt divine Ordinances, but debase humane Inventions in Gods Worship, particularly Ceremonies properly Religious, and of Instituted Mystical signification: Yet they allow the natural expressions of Reverence and Devotion, as kneeling and lifting up of the hands and eyes in prayer; as also those meer Circumstances of Decency and Order, the omission whereof would make the service of God either undecent or less decent. As they worship God in the spirit according to the simplicity of Gospel Institutions, so they rejoyce in Christ Jesus, having no confidence in a legal Righteousness, but desire to be found in him who is made unto us Righteousness by gracious Imputation: Yet withall they affirm constantly that good works of piety towards God, and of Justice and Charity towards men are necessary to salvation. Their Doctrine bears full conformity with that of the Reformed Churches held forth in their publiek Confessions, and particularly with that of the Church of England in the nine and thirty Articles, only one or two passages peradventure excepted, so far as they may import the asserting of Prelacy and humane Mysticall Ceremonies. They insist much on the necessity of Regeneration, and therein lay the groundwork for the practise of godliness. They press upon themselves and others the severe exercise not of a Popish, outside, formall, but a spirituall and reall mortification, and self-denial, according to the power of Christianity. They are strict observers of the Lords day, and constant in Family prayer: They abstain from oaths, yea petty oaths, and the irreverent usage of Gods name in common discourse; and in a word, they are sober▪ just and circumspect in their whole behaviour. Such is the temper and constitution of this party, which in its full latitude lies in the middle between those that affect a Ceremoniall Worship, and the height of Hierarchical Government on the one hand, and those that reject an ordained Ministery and setled Church order, and regular Unity, on the other hand.
Section VI.
Within these extensive limits the Presbyterian party contains several thousands of learned, godly, orthodox Ministers, being diligent and profitable Preachers of the Word, and exemplary in their Conversation; among whom there are not a few that excell in Polemical and Practical Divinity; also of the judicious, sober, serious part of the people, (in whose affections his Majesty is most concerned) they are not the lesser number. By means of a practical Ministery this way like the Leaven in the Gospel parable hath spread and seasoned the more considerate and teachable sort in all parts of the Kingdom, and especially in the more civilized places, as Cities and Towns. For indeed such as are of this minde and this way, do make Religion their business, and imitate the Bereans commended nobleness, resolving not to take up Religion upon trust, but to search the Scriptures daily whether those things which they hear are so, that they may judiciously embrace the truth. Adde hereunto that one of his Majesties Kingdoms is Presbyterian. Certainly such a people may claim a portion in their Gracious Soveraign, and surely he doth not, he will not in any wise refuse them.
Section VII.
The men of this perswasion are not lukewarm, but true Zealots. Nevertheless they have no Fellowship with the spirit of Enthusiastical and Anabaptistical Fancy and Frenzy: They are no Fanaticks, although they begin to be by some abused under that name; but they are persons of known learning, prudence, piety and gravity, in great numbers, besides of inferiour rank a vaste multitude of knowing serious honest people. None of all which are led blindfold by Tradition or Implicite Faith, or do run headlong into Fanatick Delusions, but they give up themselves to the sole direction and authority of the holy Scriptures. Wherefore impartial reason will conclude, that they chose this way, as with sincerity of affection, so with gravity of Judgement; and that the things themselves, even the more disputable part thereof (as that against the Hierarchy and Ceremonies) as such as may frequently prevail with good and wise men, in as much as they appear to those that have embraced them, to have the Impress of Divine Authority, and the Character of Evangelical Purity.