Truth and Innocence Vindicated, Part 1 · Subpart 1
A ſhort Account of that famed Viſitation at Ketterin.
HAving now diſpatched the Libel, I think it alſo highly neceſſary, ſince I am thus engaged to defend the Truth, the Church and my ſelf, to beſtow ſome Animadverſions upon the Tranſactions at Ketterin, becauſe they have made ſuch a noiſe in the World; and I judge, that Order doth require, that firſt a brief and ſummary Account be given of what paſſed between the united Brethren and my ſelf. This cannot be well done, without looking back to the firſt Formation of this Union, and the Sentiments I had thereon.
I confeſs, when others rejoyced thereat, and concluded it to be of God, and of great concernment to his Glory, I then being filled with ſadneſs of heart, could not do ſo for theſe following Reaſons.
Firſt, I thought it but an ill time for ſuch an Union, and that upon a threefold Account.
1. It was a time of great degeneracy and deadneſs.
2. As conſequential of this, a time that Profeſſors were filled with corrupt and ſelfiſh deſigns and ends.
3. The Spirit was not yet poured down from on high, and therefore
Firſt, Times of Deadneſs and Apoſtaſie, I could not judge to be Times for great Actions.
Secondly, When Profeſſors Ends are carnal and ſelfiſh, thro' the corruption of the Times, it is dangerous undertaking great matters then; tho' the glory of God may be pretendedly aimed at, yet the greateſt Sacrifice is to Self. Jehu could ſay, Come. ſee my zeal for the Lord of Hoſts, when it was a Crown and a Scepter he had chiefly in his eye, 2 Kings 10. 16.
Thirdly, Such a thing as ſo great an Union I could not expect to be firm and laſting, till we were all more of one judgment, or at leaſt our Luſts more ſubdued; nor indeed ſuch an Union, till the Spirit was more poured down from on high, and theſe bleſſed effects follow thereupon: That the watchmen ſhall ſee more eye to eye, they ſhall lift their voice, and with their voice together ſhall they ſing, Iſa. 52. 8. Till they ſhall no more err in Viſion, nor ſtumble in Judgment, Iſa. 28. 7. Till the time, that Ephraim ſhall not envy Judah, nor Judah vex Ephraim, Iſa. 11. 13. There ſhall be no hurting nor deſtroying in all his holy mountain, ver. 9. All attempts of this nature, without the ſpecial preſence of the Spirit, is like the Children of Iſrael's preſuming, under their Unbelief, to go up to the top of the Hill to take the good Land, when Moſes and the Ark of the Covenant was not with them; and it is no wonder if ſuch Attempters return back with ſhame, as well as the Iſraelites did. The Union propheſied by the joining of the two Sticks, Ezek. 37. 16, &c. is there declared to be after ſuch an effuſion of the Holy Ghoſt. The Promiſe runs thus, ver. 14. And ſhall put my Spirit in you, and ye ſhall live, &c. Which alſo is the current of the preceding part of the Chapter, then follows the Union foretold by the Prophecy of the two Sticks. We read in the New Teſtament, that the Members of the firſt primitive Church were of one heart, one mind, one accord; but it was chiefly after the pouring down of the Spirit, Acts 2. 36. 4. 24. 5. 12. To ſum up all: For extraordinary Actions, there muſt be an extraordinary Spirit; and a poor, ordinary, ſelfiſh Spirit, will not ſuffice for great Deſigns and great Services for Chriſt. Had not Joſhua, Zerubbabel, Nehemiah, Ezra, been Men extraordinarily ſpirited, they durſt never have attempted their building work, ſee Hagg. 2. 4, 5. That that made me then conclude, that this Union was untimely, was this becauſe I did not ſee the Spirit of God in a plentiful effuſion thereof lead the way thereunto.
2dly, My ſecond Reaſon was this: I obſerved, that the greateſt Numbers that were to make up this Union, were ſuch as,
1. Had forſook the Cauſe and Banner of Chriſt in a day of Adverſity, and ſince have wiped their mouths clean, and juſtified themſelves, and yet will be accounted great Diſſenters ſtill.
2. Such as had been for a long ſeaſon Strangers to the Order of the Goſpel.
3. Such as had not been only Strangers to it, but had conteſted againſt it, and perſecured their Brethren for keeping cloſe thereto: And obſerving theſe to be the moſt forward and zealous in promoting of it, implied to me no good deſign. Not but that I grant People may repent, and change their minds: But then that Repentance, if it be ſincere, (they themſelves being Judges) is attended with a hearty loathing, a free confeſſion of, and a forſaking of their former ignorance and evil ways. That Rule of God's Word is a ſtated Rule to me in this Caſe, it being a Prophecy of what ought to be in Churchmatters in Goſpel-days, Ezek. 43. 10. the Prophet is directed to ſhew them the houſe in the deformity they brought it to, for their humiliation. The words run thus: Thou ſon of man ſhew the houſe of Iſrael, that they may be aſhamed of their iniquities. Ver. 11. And if they be aſhamed of all they have done, ſhew them the form of the houſe, and the faſhion thereof, &c. And ver. 10. Let them meaſure the pattern thereof, &c. Whence obſerve, none ſuch can build aright for God, unleſs they be aſhamed of their former ignorance, diſorder, and evil oppoſing ſpirit. Now I was diligently hearkning and enquiring, whether theſe Gentlemen now, ſo forward for the Union, had
Firſt, Ever publickly, or as much as privately, acknowledged their former ignorance, diſorders and oppoſition, and confeſſed they ſaw now more light in the order of God's houſe than ever before?
Secondly, Whether the Ancients of them had acknowledged their evil, in their former and latter oppoſition to; and perſecuting and reproaching of the faithful Followers of Jeſus Chriſt, that kept cloſe to the order of the Goſpel under the odious name of Sectarians? Their ignorance, oppoſition and perſecution were too too publick, to the diſhonor of the Name of Chriſt, the ſtumbling of the World, and the grief of the Godly. And I did expect if their Confeſſion and Acknowledgment were true, it would be full as broad and wide as their Crime.
Thirdly, I was obſerving, Whether as a ſign of true Repentance, they would pull down their old tottering humane Fabricks, meaſure anew with the golden Reed of the Sanctuary, and leave out the Rubbiſh, and build anew, according to the pattern in the Mount? That would have teſtified they had indeed been in earneſt; and ſincere in their Repentance.
But inſtead of this, I never heard of as much as a private Acknowledgment, therefore I could not but juſtly ſuſpect, that their Judgments were the ſame as ever; and tho' they did in words give us almoſt all, yet then I judged their deſigns were deepeſt, and that they were to be treated with the extreameſt Caution. I confeſs we might have learn'd more Wit, if not from the Bible, yet from a Heathen Poet, who bringeth in one ſpeaking of the Grecians thus:
—Aut ulla putatis
Dona carere dolis Danaum? Sic notus Ulyſſes?
In Engliſh thus.
Suſpect, that Grecian Gifts deſigns do own.
Strange! that Ulyſſes is no better known!
For my own part, I was ready to ſay of them, when I ſaw their Concefſions, as is further ſaid there of the Greeks,
—Timeo Danaos & dona ferentes:
Which may be thus Engliſhed:
I dread the Grecians, and their cunning Shifts,
Than most of all, when that they bring their Gifts.
It is certain Ahab intended no good to Jehoſhaphat, when he enter'd into ſo ſtrict a league with him; his whole deſign appeared to be no other, than to engage him in that fatal War at Ramoth Gilead. It was obſerved of the French of old, what they loſt by plain fighting with the Engliſh, they always gained with an Overplus by their ſubtil Treaties. But I paſs on to my 3d Reaſon.
3dly, I could not but upon good grounds entertain Suſpitions that all Confederacies with Men, that continue to lag behind in a work of Reformation, was unwarrantable, and of a dangerous conſequence. That Command to Jeremiah ſounded ſtill in mine ears, Go not thou to them, but let them come unto thee, Jer. 15. 19. I had obſerved, that all impure mixtures in the work of the Lord were forbidden, Deut. 22. 11. all linſey wolſey Garments under the Law were ſo: So alſo, Deut. 22. 10. was plowing with an Ox and an Aſs together. The Iſraelites experienced the bad effects of this, when they took many of the mixed multitude with them out of Egypt. As theſe retarded the work of the Lord, ſo they derived ſuch guilt on the whole Congregation, that the Carcaſles of moſt of them fell in the Wilderneſs. The Builders in Zerubbabel's and Nehemiah's days were more wiſe and prudent, they refuſed the offers of thoſe falſe Brethren to build with them, who ſaid, Let us build with thee; for we ſeek your God, as ye do, and we do ſacrifice unto him, Ezra 4. 2. And it is well they put them off, for otherwiſe their building work had never gone on. I alſo obſerved, that the Pillar of Fire and Cloud went always before the foremoſt Rank. I confeſs I could not but fear ſuch Unions was like wheeling the Front into the Rear, and that is always loſing ground; then they that were in the Front, loſt the benefit of the conducting Pillar. A word is enough to the wiſe.
4thly, I had obſerved, that moſt of the Gentlemen of the Union, through darkneſs of mind, were ſuch as were no great Friends to the purity of the Goſpel; I therefore had my Jealouſies, leſt this Union was formed on purpoſe, whilſt they ſecretly undermined both Faith and Order; and tame us with the celebrated name of Union and Friendſhip, with a gag in our mouths, into a quiet Supineſs, whilſt they went boldly on to pervert the Faith, as well as Goſpel-order; and, as I feared, ſo it hapned: But, bleſſed be the Lord, that hath awakened ſome of his Servants to contend earneſtly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints.
5thly, I was informed, it was reſolved upon by thoſe Gentlemen, upon their entering into the Union, not to quit an hairs breadth of their Principles and Practices; but only they conſented Articles ſhould be drawn in ſuch a lax and looſe Phraſe, that both Parties might fix their particular Sence upon it, and ſhroud their different Sentiments under the univerſality of expreſſions. If this Information be true, it was juſt ſuch an abominable piece of Jeſuitical Equivocation, as muſt needs highly provoke the diſpleaſure of the Almighty, and render them odious to Men: If they thought thereby only to amuſe a certain Generation of Men, that have out-done them for many Years past in Politicks, their Prudence hath been ſtrangely overſeen. For they might eaſily perceive, thoſe quickſighted Politicians could quickly ſee through their Fig-leaf-coverings, and that their Nakedneſs would but the more appear to them. If the Stratagems of Generals, and the private Intreagues of States-men do but once take wind it tends rather to their Overthrow, than Victory and Eſtabliſhment.
6. And laſtly, I dreaded the deſign of this Union on the part of many, leſt it ſhould not be only a means framed for to jump into Benefices, and conſequently into Power over their Brethren, when a favourable juncture of time ſhould pave them the way; but alſo a device of Satan to ſtop all the dawnings of new Light about Faith and Order. For it is well known we are not arrived to perfection therein; Nor ſhall not till, the latter day, glory is conſummated. And it is alſo as undeniably evident, that, that glory muſt come in by degrees; and perhaps the firſt ſteps thereof muſt be advanced among a few deſpicable People. And it hath always been obſerved, the firſt dawnings thereof have been oppoſed, by the majority of them that made a profeſſion. The grain of Muſtard ſeed in its firſt growth in Chriſts and the Apoſtles days, was attempted to be quaſht by the learned Sanhedrim. The Learning, Power, and Policy of the Church of Rome, were engaged againſt poor Luther, and the firſt Reformers. The united parts wiſdom and learning of the National Church, were engaged to oppoſe Puritaniſm in its firſt riſe, And ſince the Learning, Abilities, Power, Intereſt, Reputation, Holineſs and Profeſſion of the Puritan and Presbyterian Party, have been employed to cruſh the Congregational Order in its firſt appearance: From whence I obſerve,
1. That the dawning of every ſtep of Reformation began firſt among a few.
2. That thoſe few have been generally the moſt deſpicable; that the power and wiſdom of God might therein appear the more.
3. That thoſe few in their Teſtimony of Jeſus, were oppoſed by the majority of the ſame Profeſſion. And were always forced to ſwim againſt wind and tide of united numbers and confederacies, armed with fleſhly Powel, Wiſdom, Policy, Reputation, and a Popular Vogue. Read, and weigh well the 2d Pſalm to this purpoſe. It was the conſideration of theſe things aw'd me with the moſt dreadful fears and jealouſies, eſpecially being not a ſtranger to the complection of times, of profeſſors, and of the greateſt number of the united brethren; leſt this union ſhould prove a great mountain in the way of our Zerubbabel, attempting to overwhelm the day of ſmall things; and I had grounds enough for my fears. For I obſerved Profeſſors laviſhing their ſpirits forth into carnal joys and ſecurity, and propoſing to themſelves great and carnal advantages. I obſerved, that the Leaders of the People were like the Sons of Zebedee, for the right and left hand in the kingdom, in a carnal ſenſe. They could not conceal the pleaſant proſpect they had of rich benefices and maſtery; as if the Kingdom of God, and Glory of Chriſt, conſiſted only in Meats, Drinks, and outward Accommodations; The ultimate deſigns of ſome muſt be by a Grandee, in a jovial laxneſs of Spirit diſcovered; who when he thought himſelf perhaps ſure of his company, dropt their grand arcanum in words to this effect. That tho they gave the Independents good words now; yet, when time ſerved, they must truckle under. So that having conſidered theſe things, it is not much to be wondered at, if I was ſo ſhy to comply with the Union: For which piece of ſtubbornneſs, I was made a public example the other day at Kerterin.
I do not hereby in the leaſt reflect upon my honoured brethren, that coaleſced with them in this union. Probably their Charity were more extenſive than mine, in judging others were in earneſt; and I confeſs it is ſafeſt erring on Charity's hand. Or probably they might think, that by frequent friendly debates with them about ſubject matters relating to the order of Gods houſe, that might ariſe pro re nath, an occaſion would be given of affording them further light; which charitable intention of theirs I ſhould have the rather approved of, had this been done without the formality of Articles, and a certain airy pomp, that attended that tranſaction. But to the matter in hand. Has not time proved it a tympanous affair? Have they reformed one hair's breadth in their diſcipline, admiſſions, watch, care, admonitions, and cenſures; or in their underſtanding and preaching the truth as it is in Jeſus? Have not they rather gone ten degrees backward, and ſome others many ſteps back with them? But to add no more. Theſe are my reaſons why I diſſented from the Union. I thought I ſaw diſorders in the foundation thereof, and feared the continued progreſs thereof would under the wings of a favourable juncture lick itſelf into the enſnaring form of a Lordly Claſſis. This made me cautious to adviſe with them in any matter, leſt that ſhould be improved to further ſuch deſigns.
Yet notwithſtanding all this, I ſhall give the Reader ſome account how I came to have any thing to do with them.
I underſtood that they had received divers reports concerning me, and there were ſome of them I had a deep reſpect for, and I was willing they ſhould be diſabuſed, and all of them delivered from this great ſin, of ſinful credulity, if poſſible:
Being alſo over-perſwaded by the importunity of ſome Friends, that I dearly loved, I went, the laſt Spring was twelve month, to viſit them, at their meetings; and there waited from 3 till paſt 4 under great indiſpoſition of body, reſolving to defend, whatever they ſhould object againſt our Faith, and practice according to my light; therefore I acquainted a grave Elder with mine intention, deſiring him to propoſe it to them, if he thought good: But he judging it not ſeaſonable, and they being employed about other buſineſs, there was nothing done at that time. I cannot but remark by the way, how it was reported by ſome of them, I did not tarry there ſix minutes, tho I continued amongſt them from three, till almoſt five. I went to the Country and heard not from them, till many months afterwards: And then I received a Letter inquiring of me, whether ſeveral things ſpecified therein, as to ſaith and practice, were true or no. In my anſwer thereunto, what was falſe I denied; what was true I acknowledged, giving my reaſons for my judgment and practice: To which Letter I have not received an anſwer to this day.
The beginning of the laſt Summer I went again to London, and being ſet upon afreſh by Friends, I gave them another Viſit, ſtill being under ſome jealous apprehenſions, leſt theſe Viſits of mine ſhould give too much advantage to the form'd deſign. I muſt confeſs they treated me very civilly, and were pleaſed to ask me divers queſtions, which I anſwered as my memory ſerved.
In the cloſe of this Conference Mr. Williams ſpake publickly, That he had many things againſt me in matters of Faith, but he had not his Witneſſes ready to prove them. I was amazed at ſuch a bold Accuſation, and conſidering the language and ſpirit he delivered himſelf in, I could not but plainly declare againſt ſuch Judicial Proceedings; yet being willing, if I could, to reſcue them from ſuch evil Credulity, in receiving ſuch falſe Reports concerning a work and Church of Chriſt, I frankly offer'd him, that if he would produce his Witneſſes againſt their next Meeting, I would be there ready to confront them. This he concluded impoſſible. Upon this I made a ſecond offer in the ſimplicity of my heart, being only deſirous to free them from the vexation of libellous Letters, and falſe Stories, that when he would be pleaſed to gather his Evidence to London, I ſhould make another Journy there, for the ſake of their quietneſs and repoſe, and thus we then parted. I heard no more from them, till ſome months after returning from a great Journy, that I undertook for the ſervice of Chriſt, I was alarm'd all the way as I came home, with an intended Viſitation to be ſhortly at Katterin, by ſome Miniſters deputed from the Aſſembly at London. It was almoſt beyond imagination, what inſulting Joy and Triumph the little Adverſaries of the Truth expreſt thereat in every quarter. They could have notice thereof a long time before the day by circular Letters, which likewiſe enjoined them to bring in all that had any thing to ſay againſt me. Whence I do obſerve, there was no fair dealing deſigned me. They had their matters of Accuſation and Witneſſes ready, but I muſt know nothing of all this, tho' it was earneſtly requeſted of Mr. Williams at a Meeting at London, by a Brother that was with me there. Had they never been ſo authorized, yet this had been unjuſt in them: No Court pretending to Juſtice, doth ever deny ſo righteous a Requeſt. The King's Courts always grant a Copy, or elſe read the Indictment, before the indicted Party is required to plead. All ſorts of Epiſcopal Courts grant a Copy of their Libel to the Party accuſed, with the Names of the Evidences, that they may know how to make their Defence, before they give in their Anſwer; yet this little piece of Juſtice muſt not be done to me. But to go on: When I came home, I found a Letter ſubſcribed by one Mr Godman, ſtiling himſelf Moderator pro tempore. The Contents whereof were to this purpoſe:
That ſince I had paſſed a Promiſe to meet them and their Evidences at London, when they ſhould give me notice thereof; they, to ſpare me that pains, had ſent ſome of their Company to examine them nearer home.
But here I ſhall pauſe a little, to beſtow ſome Animadverſions thereupon.
1. There are none, that have been acquainted with their Proceedings towards me, will ever judge that it was to ſpare my pains, that Reverend Mr. Williams came down to Ketterin, but rather to expoſe me to the Country; therefore they might have ſpared that needleſs piece of Compliment.
2. I never promiſed to meet them at Ketterin, nor any other place of the Country; nor were there the ſame Reaſons to move me thereunto. In my promiſe to meet at London, I deſigned privacy; but I knew any ſuch Meeting in the Country would expoſe us to publick obſervation, and a tumultuous noiſe.
3. My deſign in meeting at London, was to give the whole Aſſembly ſatiſfaction, that the Stories they had often received were not worth their crediting: And I had cauſe to queſtion, whether two or three would give them a true account of the matter, eſpecially one if not two of them being declared Enemies.
But their Letter goeth on thus—
That therefore they would deſire me to give them the Meeting at Ketterin on ſuch a day.
To the ſame Purport there came a Note without a Name, delivered by Mr. King's own hand, in the way of an Apparitor, to meet them at a certain Ale-houſe at Ketterin on the appointed day.
But, pray, why at Ketterin, and not at Rothwel? Muſt this Town be pitched upon, becauſe both the World and Profeſſors there were moſt malignant and diſaffected to us?
But their Letter proceedeth—
Laſtly, They deſired that I ſhould bring none with me, that might cauſe Publick Obſervation.
And yet they had ſummoned in People from eight or nine Counties, and their Friends had greatly nois'd it up and down the Country; and yet obſerve, I muſt be debarred from bringing thoſe with me that might witneſs for me. Let ſober and impartial Men judge, whether this was fair dealing.
This Letter, with all ſpeed, I communicated to the Church in their Aſſembly; the Church, alarm'd with theſe Proceedings, appointed their Elders and other Brethren, as Meſſengers, to enquire into this matter, and to know by what Authority, and for what Ends theſe Miniſters came down, and ſummoned me their Paſtor before them: They alſo requeſted the aſſiſtance of Reverend Mr. Hayworth, who was then providentially caſt amongſt us, with the aſſiſtance of Reverend Mr. Suunders, and others.
The day being come we met, and conſulted the Lord firſt by Prayer, and then with one another, and upon the whole of our Debate, concluded thus, That it was not expedient I ſhould appear before them for theſe following Reaſons.
1. That my Appearance would be owning the Authority of the Ʋnited Brethren, which was none.
2. The Authority of their Deputies, which was leſs, if poſſible, than nothing.
3. The owning of, and ſubmitting to all the Irregularities they had committed contrary to the Word of God, and the Principles of the Congregational Churches.
And firſt, It was the primitive Practice, if matters of Debate and Scandal aroſe, many Churches to ſend Meſſengers to that Church to compoſe that matter, if it could be by way of Advice. Thus, Acts 17. when matter of Debate and Scandal aroſe in the Church at Antioch, they ſent Meſſengers to the Church at Jeruſalem for Advice, ver. 2, 3. compared together. So again the Church at Jeruſalem ſent Meſſengers back with Advice, ver. 22. Then it pleaſed the Apoſtles and Elders, with the whole Church, to ſend choſen men of their own company, &c. The Letters containing the ſubſtance of Advice, was ſubſcribed by the Brethren, (i. e.) the Church, as well as the Apoſtles and Elders, Ver. 23. The Apoſtles, Elders and Brethren, ſend greeting to the Brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch, &c. If any Elders might claim a Precedency excluſive of the Church, ſurely the extraordinary Apoſtles of thoſe days might put in for that Claim, but you ſee they did not. Other places I might alledge, but I ſtudy Brevity, therefore theſe ſhall at preſent ſuffice.
Now it is apparent, that the worthy Elders that came from London, offended againſt this primitive Practice, which hath to us the force of a Rule; for it being demanded, Whether they came from Churches in Goſpel-order? They could not ſay they did, and therefore were guilty of an Irregularity, which I could not by my preſence among them approve of.
2dly, According to the primitive Practice, they ſhould have come to the Church at Rothwel, for there the matter of Scandal and Debate aroſe; and if I had offended in matters Eccleſiaſtical, they were my proper Judges. It is apparent, that this is according to the primitive Rule. Peter. that great Apoſtle, being accuſed of a ſuppoſed Crime, pleadeth his Cauſe before the Church at Jeruſalem, Acts 11. ver. 3, 18. compared together: So chap. 15. the Church at Antioch ſendeth Meſſengers to the Church at Jeruſalem, Ver. 3, 4. compared: So again the Church at Jeruſalem, Ver. 22, 23. compared; for again they ſend greeting to the Brethren that were at Antioch, accordingly they deliver'd their Letter and Meſſage to the Church, Ver. 30. And when they had gathered the multitude together, (i e.) the Church, they deliver'd the Epiſtle. Many other places I might quote to this purpoſe. It is remarkable, that all the Epiſtles of the Apoſtles Paul, Peter, &c. are directed to particular Churches in theſe Epiſtles. To a particular Church it is give… in Charge reſpectively, to ſee that a Paſtor fulfil his Miniſtry; to warn the unruly; to comfort the weak; to ſupport the feeble minded; to caſt out a Criminal; to receive him in again upon repentance, Col. 4. 17. 1 Theſſ. 5. 14. 2 Theſſ. 3. 6. 1 Cor. 3. 4, 5. 2 Cor. 2. 7, 8. Nay, multiplied Inſtances to this end might be produced. From this primitive Practice the Rule of our Walk, the Elders that came from London deviated in ſeveral Reſpects.
1. Whereas they ſhould have come to the Aſſembly and Church at Rothwel, they never ſent to the Church, nor deſired a Church-meeting.
2. When the Meſſengers of the Church in the beginning of their actings at Ketterin, offered to them to aſſemble a Church-meeting with all ſpeed, where they might come, if they pleaſed, to declare their meſſage, and act their matters; but this they utterly refuſed once and again.
3. At the cloſe of the day, when they had finiſht gathering their Accuſations, it was requeſted that they ſhould ſend a Copy of them to the Church. This again they declined with expreſſions of Scorn and Contempt caſt upon the Church; ſo that by theſe proceedings of theirs, we evidently perceived their deſign was to hook away Judgment from a particular Church of Chriſt, and fix it in a Presbyterian Claſſis.
Again, As they violated the Rules of God's Word, ſo they alſo acted contrary unto thoſe Principles in the Savoy Confeſſion, which they themſelves all of them in their Articles of Union conſented to.
The Article violated, is the 26th, which I ſhall repeat verbatim; then make my Remarks, and therein ſhew what Branches thereof they have acted repugnant thereunto.
[Article 26. Pag. 116.] In Caſes of Difficulties or Differences either in point of Doctrine, or in Adminiſtrations, wherein either the Churches in general are concerned, or any one Church in their Peace, Ʋnity and Edification, or any Member or Members of any Church are injured in or by any proceeding in Cenſures not agreeable to Truth and Order; it is according to the mind of Christ, that many Churches, holding Communion together, do by their Meſſengers meet in a Synod or Councel, to conſider and give their Advice in or about that Matter in Difference, to be reported to all the Churches concerned. Howbeit theſe Synods ſo aſſembled, are not entruſted with any Church-power, properly ſo called, or with any Juriſdiction over the Churches themſelves, or exerciſe any Cenſures either over any Churches or Perſons, or to impoſe their Determinations on the Churches or Officers.
Firſt, By this Article it appeareth, that thoſe that concern themſelves in any Aſſembly or Meeting about any ſuch Differences, ought to be Meſſengers ſent from Churches, for it is ſaid to be (the meeting of Churches by their Meſſengers) but the Aſſembly at London are not ſo, much leſs them that came to Kettering.
2dly, That they be the Meſſengers of thoſe that hold Communion together: But with many of them and their Churches, we can hold no Communion of Churches.
3dly, That theſe Meetings be occaſional, and not ſtated, explained further by Article 27th. But the Aſſembly at London is quite otherwiſe.
4thly, That they report the matter in difference to all the Churches concern'd, which I never heard hath been done yet.
5thly, That they are not veſted with any Church-power or Juriſdiction over the Churches themſelves, which they have uſurped indeed, tho' in word they do deny it. So that you ſee by the Word of God, as well as their own Article, their Proceedings at Kettering were Illegal and Arbitrary, therefore in Conſcience I was bound to declare againſt them by my abſence; it is true they pretended otherways, and that made them the more to be ſhun'd.
1. They pretended Love, when the whole work of the day was to expoſe me to the Country.
2. They ſaid they came not to act authoritatively, and yet they judicially received accuſations, read them aloud, examined VVitneſſes, by vertue of Deputation publicly in the facè of the Country. If they had acted by virtue of a Commiſſion from under the Great Seal, they could have acted no higher.
3. They ſaid they came in order to no cenſure, and yet ſome of them were ſo nimble, as to have proceeded to cenſure then, and others were ſo haſty to proceed to cenſure in London, that they could ſcarce in prudence be reſtrained. They ſaid they came to ſearch out Truth, and report it at London, but that was impoſſible for them to do in Juſtice and Equity, unleſs they had took my Anſwer along with them.
Upon the whole I could not but iudge it a judicial claſſical procedure, and therefore durſt not in Conſcience countenance it with my preſence.
If a foreign Power ſhould ſet up a Court in England, and require the Kings Subjects to attend thereupon, their very Attendance, by the Laws of the Land, would be conſtrued a degree of Rebellion. This Inſtance is very applicable to the Caſe in hand, and may be well conſtrued a degree of Rebellion againſt the Lord Jeſus.
My ſecond Reaſon for not appearing there, was a matter of Prudence: The matters of Charge and their Evidences they had ready againſt me, but I was ignorant of either; ſo that if I had appeared there, I muſt have been worried, and run down before the Country, having not any Witneſſes ready; nor could I, till I knew what and who would evidence againſt me: ſo that I had no publick way left me but this of Printing, which I choſe rather prudentially to have Recourſe unto.
My 3d Reaſon, and a very weighty one, for not appearing, was, becauſe I underſtood there was a great enraged Aſſembly gathered together, that waited to make a Riot, therefore I durſt not go to affront and diſturb the Government under which I enjoyed ſuch Peace and Tranquility. I had freſh in my memory, how many Citizens ſuffered about the Guild-Hall Riots. Beſides, I was adviſed by a Magiſtrate to this courſe. It is more than probable, if I had appeared there then, it would have been of dangerous Conſequence. Yet when I underſtood the Rabble was gone away, I went to them, and having entred my Proteſt againſt their Proceedings, left them. Had they given a candid Anſwer to the Propoſals made to them by the Meſſengers of the Church, they might have received a ſpeedier Anſwer. It was propoſed to them, Whether they came as a Presbyterian-Claſſis, or as Meſſengers of Churches, or as Friends; or, laſtly, as avowed Oppoſers. As a Claſſis we ſhould have ſlighted them, as we did; as Meſſengers of Churches they confeſs they did not come. If they had come as Friends they would never have come after that manner. If they had been above-board, and ſaid they came as Oppoſers, we ſhould have defended the Truth againſt them to their teeth, as the Lord ſhould have enabled us, provided it had not been in a tumultuous Aſſembly.
One little Gentleman there preſent, would have proceeded to have paſt Judgment upon us there preſently, but I would have him ſeriouſly conſider the judgment the Scripture paſſes upon his Actions in the late Tryals, John 10. 12, 13. Tho' they declared at Kettering they would conceal their matters till they came to the United Brethren at London, yet two of them in their return home not only expoſed us in Preaching, but one eſpecially at Hitchin, publiſhed Heads of the Accuſations even to my Friends. A third, being my former Acquaintance, carried it like a juſt Man, I am ſorry he was one of them; however, I overlook it in him, and for his Chriſtian Carriage and Juſtice, render him my publick Thanks.
Some weeks after this Tranſaction, I received from London a Copy of what was depoſed againſt me at Kettering in matters of Faith and Practice. I ſhall expoſe it to the World verbatim, becauſe I know there is a great noiſe about it, as moſt conceive more dreadful of it than it is, together with the Witneſſes Names, that they may have the publick Honor they aſpire to.
The Laws of Language and of the Land allow me to call them Informers, who witneſs againſt a Man in matters of Religion, but the Reverence I bear towards ſome of them forbids me that Term. Then I ſhall print-my Anſwer digeſted together, with their Accuſations, into ſome general Heads. Under every general Head, I ſhall make bold to make ſome Reflections, to evince what Truth of the Goſpel is ſtruck at, annexing thereunto a ſhort Defence thereof, and it is as followeth: