The Church Wounded and Rent by a Spirit of Division, Section 2
SECTION II.
IT may be ſtrange and matter of aſtoniſhment this day, what ſo ſevere a ſtretching of that controverſy about the late Indulgence, in our Church, and bringing things to ſuch ane extreme, can poſſibly meane? As though no party elſe were to contend with, when the whole of Religion, is like to be ſwallowed up betwixt Popery, Prelacy, and Atheiſme, and that the peace and true edification of the Church were now ſo low and cheap, as to ſacrifice them upon ſuch ane account; yea, while ſo many are in that hazard to be ſhaken, as they are like to loſe all ſetted perſwaſion of the truth: but ſince ſuch ſtreſſe hath been by ſome layed on theſe grounds adduced in the late Hiſtory of the Indulgence, for not hearing, or receaving the ordinances of the Goſpell, from ſuch Miniſters as have accepted thereof, to a further widening thus of the breach; and, that I have been expreſly referred thereto, as a full anſwer to what is held forth in the forgoing Paper, or whatever can be ſaid to the contrary; I was preſſed to ſome peruſall thereof, ſo far as to know whence a concluſion ſo ſtrange, and of ſo high and univerſall concern to all the Churches, could poſſibly be inferred or eſtabliſhed by any, who admit the Truth and Authrity of the Scriptures, and theſe principles wherein we have hitherto walked. But ere I touch this more particularly, I muſt, to prevent miſtakes, premitt ſome few things in the entry.
Firſt, That it is ſure the queſtion of Separation is one of the moſt difficult things, and lyes more in the dark, then moſt things that are controverted; and that all acts of extremity, ſuch as this, ſhould be with greateſt reluctation, and on convincing and neceſſary grounds followed; nor can we ever ſee ſuch away hath in any time been bleſſed, (how favourable ſoever it might ſeem in the eyes of ſome) which hath tended to perplex and precipitantly to break a poor Church and how ſad a mark is put thereon, by the holy Ghoſt, may be read Jude verſ. 19.
Secondly, Though ſome ſeem too viſibly unconcerned, and in ſtead of being ſutably affected, to account this growing breach rather ane ornament and matter of boaſting; yet, when ſeriouſly conſidered, of ſuch import is it, and that queſtion anent Church fellowſhip and communion; as this may be truly called, Articulus ſtantis & cadentis Eccleſiae, and upon no leſſe hazard now, (if grace doe not marvelouſly prevent) then the diſſolution of a Nationall Church: and is not that James 3. 16. written in greateſt letters this day before us, that where ſtrife is there is confuſion and every evill work, and that thus both the work of converſion and intereſt of the Goſpell is moſt viſibly obſtructed.
Thirdly, We muſt take no meaſure of preſent duty, from the event, but whatever propoſalls or eſſayes ſhould be for any compoſure or healing now in the Church, I hope, I may ſay, it is no ſinfull tampering, or with any ceding or latitude in the leaſt, in the matter of God; but let truth ſtill have the firſt place, for I ſhould reckon any ſuch peace with greateſt terrour, which might cauſe a breach with God: have ſalt in your ſelfes, and peace one with another.
Fourthly, It is not the caſe of the Indulgence, or the acceptance thereof by any of our Brethren, that is now the controverſy amongſt us, nor is here touched further, then a neceſſary oppoſing, ſo ſtrange and unjuſt inferences, as hath been made thence, to make this difference ſeem greater then it is; and for renting the poor Church; but it is known when that deſign of the Magiſtrate was ſet on foot, what ſutable and ſerious freedome (in the opportune ſeaſon) was uſed to prevent any dividing among us, and to keep of any concurrence therewith, yet with that due and tender reſpect to there Miniſtry, with whom we herein differed, to prevent any publick rent or breach, and as we judged theſe moſt ſutably conſiſtent, ſo it is ſure, the thoughts of ſuch things, we now ſee, and of ſuch a ſpirit as is now aloft would have made our hearts then tremble.
Fiftly, I doubt not that this great duty will be acknowledged by all, if it had a ſutable weight on us, in ſuch a day, to adore the holy and ſpotleſſe righteouſneſſe of God in what he hath done, and ly in the duſt before him, againſt whom we have ſinned, and be much in humble and ſerious ſelfjudging; for we ſhould tremble either to juſtifie or extenuate the ſad declinings which hath been in our Church, in theſe later times, from that firſt love, tenderneſs and zeall for God, and the great concerns of his truth; yea mourn, that ſo ſad a faint hath been among us, and deſpondency of ſpirit, for ſuch a ſutable, unite, and ſolemne appearance, as was called for in bearing teſtimony againſt theſe invaſions made on the Kindome of our bleſſed Maſter, whilſt many opportunities hath been too viſibly loſt of this great duty by us al.
Sixtly, Yet upon the other hand we muſt not ſhut our eyes, nor conceall ſuch a ground of hope, and token for good, that the Lord will not deſtroy, but dwell in our land, that he hath accepted a teſtimony by the ſufferings of his poor people, even of all ranks now for theſe years paſt, who have cheerfully endured, with much long-ſuffering, ſome unto death, baniſhment, impriſonment, and the ſpoiling of their goods, as I may adventure to ſay, upon this account a greater teſtimony hath not been given to the way of the Lord, and his truth in our Church, ſince the firſt begun Reformation from Popery; yea, that what ever be theſe ſad deplorable differences now amongſt us, yet are they not ſtated upon a publick diſowning of any principle of truth either in doctrine, worſhip, or Government; and hopes, that many of theſe who are moſt ſeverly reflected on by ſome, would through grace, (if called to publick confeſſion, of the glorious headship and ſupremacy, of our bleſſed Head, King, and Lawgiver to his Church,) not account their life dear unto the death, to be offered up as a ſacrifice thereon: Wherein I judge as is meet, and with more peace of minde now when I write this, then to judge with that ſeverity, and peremtorineſſe, which have been by ſome, againſt their Brethren, and fellow-ſervants this day. I ſhall but add, that what is here touched, hath been with ſome deſire and aime, to keep a diſtance from any perſonall reflections, or to provoke and give a thruſt at the repute of any; but Oh, if a delivering ourſelfes up to the truth, were reckoned to be the greateſt Victory, and however provoked or injured, yet by manifeſtation of the truth to their conſciences, in a humble, tender, and convincing way to deall with ſuch; ſurely, this ſhould be matter of peace and joy in the ſhutting up of our dayes, and not to have recompenced evill with evill, but to have thus endeavoured the gaining the ſoul of their Brother, by overcoming evill with good.
Having premitted theſe, I muſt touch alittle ſome grounds layed down in that hiſtory of the Indulgence, for not hearing of the indulged Miniſters; and ſuch meaſures as ſeem to have been taken, for a ſtretching this difference ſo far, as to break of Church communion and fellowſhip with theſe, whom yet they dare not but own as the Meſſengers of Chriſt to his Church; which I muſt ſay upon ſome ſerious reflection, hath been aſtoniſhing to ſee, ſo high a charge and arguments adduced there, and with ſuch confidence followed, which, if fearched unto, by any ſerious and unbyaſſed Reader, may enforce them to ſee, the concluſion would ſeem to have been eſtabliſhed befor the premiſſes; though in this as to the tendency thereof, and theſe ſad and deplorable conſequences that are like to follow, I hope, was neither deſigned, nor forſeen by the Author, to whoſe memory, (if ſuch as is pretended to be) I doe own great reſpects, and to have no further reflection on what is there, then the truth, which muſt have preference to all, indiſpenſibly requires.
Firſt, We may ſee in ſtead of Arguments, ſome high and confident aſſertions, where I muſt ſay, the enditement goes above the evidence; and that (1.) There is both ane impoſing of a ſenſe upon their Brethrens practiſe, and a being judge alſo themſelfes; and ſuch a ſenſe, as theſe who have been known moſt averſe from any acceptance of that Indulgence, yet can neither ſee nor admitt; but how hard is it, in a dividing time, when all humors are ſo much aloft, to cenſure without ſlander. (2.) Here is a preſſing of that ſenſe on this practiſe, which themſelves doe with a profeſſed abhorrence diſown; whoſe candour and ſincerity otherwayes, in the greateſt concerns of Religion, I hope, none dare debate; and how ſad is it, when deductions, and inferences, are rather forced, then found, from the way of others, and a deſigne more to defame, and make things worſe, then they are to reclaime: and to urge things beyond their due weight: there is a rigide and ſevere proſecution even in things lawfull, that brings much ſcandall on Religion, and the way of the Lord, ſo as to make many ſcarr and take a judgment thereof by this practiſe, which yet, is ſo full of a holy ſweetneſſe and condeſcendence. (3.) What is held forth there, as it too obviouſly exceeds, ſo it is a diveſting of the matter, of theſe juſt extenuating circumſtances that it is capable of, whilſt no cenſure ſhould extend further according to the rule, then what neceſſarly muſt be inferred from the fact: for that 1 Cor. 13. commanded Charity, which thinketh no evill of our Brother, ſo alſo reaſoneth no evill, ſo as to put ane harder conſtruction then it can juſtly hear, as if there were ſome deſire, to have ſuch ane advantage to ſpeak evill, and interprete doubtfull things in the worſt ſenſe.
Secondly, For theſe multiplied diviſions of many arguments, and a ſtrange empeachment of ane accumulative defection from the truth, and falling in with Eraſtianiſme; I confeſs was aſtoniſhing, what ſuch a heaping up of theſe ſhould meane, with ſo viſible a coincidence upon the matter, as if to repeat the very ſame thing, though in another form twenty, or thirty times over, could thus have the more weight: but we know, arguments muſt be weighed, and not numbered.
Thirtly, And is there not to viſible a tendency of all theſe high aggravations, and reaſonings there upon, to cauſe a further breach, and ſtretch this difference, beyond, either what was needfull, or expedient, for edification, in making that a ſtumbling block for many to break themſelfes on, which was not ſo before; and thus in ſhunning one extreme, hath ruſhed both themſelfes, and others, one another, as is like, (if the Lord prevenr not) to cauſe a further ſtated diviſion in other points of truth; and to what a ſad extreme now are things thus come; when it is ſo expreſly declared in the preface to that Hiſtory, that he can pray for nothing elſe in behalf of the indulged Miniſters, but repentance, and untill that, may have no ſute elſe to God in their behalf; which is ane expreſſe denying to pray for the ſucceſſe of their Miniſtry, and edification of the people, untill they be once convinced, and have changed their judgment: yea, thus could not joine with ſuch in prayer, upon any other ſute that they ſhould put up for themſelfes, before the Lord. I ſhould wiſh this had been ſo cautioned, as any ſafe or warrantable ſenſe, could have been put on ſo ſtrange ane aſſertion, otherwiſe the communion of the ſaints, and the doctrine of the Church herein, muſt undeniably be made void.
Fourthly, That here is a moſt ſad, and unwarrantable overſtretching of this controverſy, (in ſo high a charge, as is thus brought, of Eraſtianiſme, and ane expreſſe formall, receiving of their Miniſtry from Magiſtrate) I muſt humbly judge, is unanſwerable on theſe grounds. (1.) That thus, is charged upon them and their practiſe, for having yeelded up more to the Magiſtrate, then is ſo much, as once ſought or required by them, in that Act of Indulgence; ſince that which is expreſly ſhewed there, is, that they allow and permitt ſuch the publick exerciſe of their Miniſtry, in theſe reſpective places where they ſhould be confyned, to be without hazard of law. (2.) Becauſe, (and, I hope, none will queſtion it) their Miniſtry, and the validity thereof, and that they did alſo exerciſe the ſame, notwithſtanding of any hazard from the law, before any ſuch Indulgence was, is ſufficiently known. (3.) Whatever difference hath been in the application, yet their publick adherence, to the ſame principles, in the point controverted is undenyable, only they judge their practiſe herein, to be conſiſtent therewith, whilſt queſtioned by others, which is the very ſtate of this preſent caſe. (4.) I hope none dare judge theſe our Brethren (whatever difference of judgment be herein) or charge them with wilfull errour, or controuling their light and conſcience in this matter, but that they have walked accordingly; (and I muſt ſo judge as is meet) but if any will aſſume ane authority both to judge, and paſſe ſentence on the conſcience of ſuch, whom they know to be ſerious, tender, and judicious, in the matters of truth; I cannot anſwer this, but muſt leave them to anſwer that great infallible rule of the Scriptures of truth herein; but I muſt ſay, the putting of ſo a ſtrange a gravamen, and exaggerating of this practiſe ſo far beyond all bounds, hath ſeemd ſtrange to mee, how poſſibly ſuch could be without ſome fear and dread, (how light ſo ever it ſeem now to ſome) of being found guilty of a ſad breach of the ninth command: and ſince all ſhould prove their own work, I humbly think, they ſhould be as competent judges in the truth of their profeſſion, and of what they have ſo ſolemnly declared, as any elſe. (5.) Here alſo is a viſible oppoſing of them to themſelfes, in ſo far as their declaration before the Councill, and ſet down in that Hiſtory is evident, and hath theſe very words publickly, before the Magiſtrate: (We have receaved our Miniſtry from Jeſus Chriſt, with full preſcriptions from him, for regulating us therein, and muſt be accountable to him,) and if theſe ſo publickly owned this, and ſpoke the ſame in truth, and ſincerity; then theſe ſtrange aſſertions ſo frequently renewed there, even to the readers nauſeating, upon ſuch ane account of there having taken their Miniſtry from the Magiſtrate, muſt be undenyably falſe: beſides its known (and ſhould we deny what is juſt to our Brethren upon ſuch ane account,) their practicall witneſs, and counteracting of any inſtructions impoſed on them by the Magiſtrate.
Fiftly, There ſeems much endeavour to invalidate any declaration, which was then given before the Councell, upon the omiſſion of that clauſe, only, and that though they owned their Miniſtry to be from Jeſus Chriſt, and to receave directions from him for the exerciſe thereof, that, yet, this clauſe, only, was deliberatly left out, and the Authors of that Hiſtory ſeems the more preſſed herein, elſe their whole ſcope were fruſtrate, ſince none could debate this to have been then, a full and clear confeſſion of their Miniſtry, as from Chriſt alone, and independant on the Magiſtrate, and therefore are concerned to prove, that this, only, was a deliberate omiſſion, which I muſt confeſſe a ſtrange reaſoning to any diſcerning Reader, that page 130. argum. 12. they with ſuch confidence ſay, it is apparent the indulged did deliberatly shun to ſay, they had there Miniſtry only from Chriſt, and yet page 24. when they give the reaſon why this was deliberatly done, becauſe it was deſigned by ſome, (ſayes the Author) if I be not miſinformed: and muſt the whole ſtreſſe of moſt of their arguments, be layed over upon their deſigne, and intention herein, and no leſſe then a judiciall for faulture of their Miniſtry thence inferred, whilſt they are, yet, put to confeſſe ane uncertainty, whither they were rightly enformed anent this, yea, or no, or if this omiſſion was truly deliberate: and ſince this is a publick fixing, a moſt high ſcandall on ſo many Miniſters of Chriſt, it would have been expected to be with the furtheſt evidence to convince others, and that they are in caſe for the full, and judiciall, out making thereof, when required; if they would give that meaſure they expect from others, and which the Scripture indiſpenſibly requires in ſuch a caſe.
Sixtly, It is ſtrange, ſo ſudden a determining, and publiſhing the private judgings of ſome, in a matter of ſuch weight and univerſall concern, without ſo much as a previous communicating in Councill herein, with the muſt tender of their Brethren, whom they would in charity judge to be ſerious, and have the Councill of God with them, yea, this without laying down any ſuch convincing grounds, as were neceſſary to juſtifie ſo ſtrange a practiſe, as the departure from fellowſhip in the publick ordinances, with ſo great a part of the Church; as though this had no weight in this day, for the ſpirit of the Prophets being ſubject to the Prophets. I muſt ſay, though ſome ſhould own an revelation, or extraordinary impulſe in this, yet, ſo far, it might have been judged, they might have keept of, as not to vent the ſame in ane diſorderly and unſutable way; or adventure to bring in ſo ſtrange a practiſe, and of ſo publick concern in the Church, without the Church; or to exerce their private judgment, over the whole of their Brethren. The Apoſtle Paull, tho immediatly called by Chriſt, yet would goe up to Jeruſalem to conferre with the Brethren; nor would Paull and Barnabas together, adventure to determine in that difference at Antioch, untill it was brought to the Apoſtles: the ſame ſpirit which leads unto all truth, does alſo lead unto Humility, and to the furtheſt tender condeſcendence in Brethrens dealling with other; nor ſhould it be light, whatever may be the private thoughts of ſome, in a matter of truth, to doe any thing precipitantly which may diſturb the Church: and now when it is ſtrugling as if between life and death, was this a time to drive with ſuch heat this preſent breach, and in a way to defame, more then to convince and gaine, and with ſuch a height of ſevere reflection on all that comes not to their meaſure this way, as if to be pious, and peacable at once, were wholly inconſiſtent.
Sevently, And what ſhould it meane, or is it ſutable to that candour and tender reſpect, which we owe to the Author of the late Apology, to ſet down theſe arguments which he hath there for not hearing of the Curats, for not hearing the indulged; and herein, to oppoſe him to himſelf, and his own expreſly declared ſenſe to the countrary, whilſt now by his death he cannot anſwer. But his own words there, I hope, will not be denyed, which yow may read pag. 128. and there alſo ſee, a vigorous oppoſition to the indulgence yet without any breach or dividing from theſe worthy Miniſters, who have accepted thereof, are no wayes inconſiſtent. Amongſt the many deſignes aimed at, (ſaid that Author) in this indulgence, and in part obtained, we know the breakings and dividing of our party was a principall one; but, we hope, without the fruit our Adverſaries expected; for whatever difference there hash been, and yet is among us, in our practiſe in relation to the indulgence, we are all agreed in our preceeding exceptions againſt it, and if there had been acceſſe for repreſenting the ſame to the Rulers, our unanimity and concord in theſe had been more diſcovered and known to the world; there is no change with us, of our known and profeſſed judgment anent the Government of the Church, in its diſtinction from, and independency on the Magiſtrate; ſome who take hold on all occaſions to reproach us, are pleaſed to repreſent their acceptance of this indulgence, as contradictory to, and inconſiſtent with our former profeſſed principles in Church Government; yet, any that conſiders what was ſhortly hinted at in the Councell, at the receiving of this indulgence, and what was more largly declared by them, to their congregations at firſt entry, will be ſufficiently convinced of our conſtant adherence to former principles, which by this acceptance is not at all changed: thus for he.
Eightly, But if the declared judgments, and authority of ſome may influence any to a more implicite falling in with this way; I muſt yet further crave leave, to oppoſe the judgment of one, who, I ſuppoſe, may have the ſame weight and authority in this caſe, it is the Author of the true Non-conformiſt, who in his clearing the duty of forbearance to hear the Curats, hath theſe words which I cited, in the firſt Paper, Page 196. I freely acknowledge, that if God had permitted this whole Church to ſlide into the preſent evills of Prelacy, and thereafter had bleſſed it with a diſcovery; yet, I would not admitt in that condition the ſame neceſſity and expediency of ſeparation, that I now finde, to plead with for a non complyance, in as much as our preſent non-complyance, was not only a more ſeaſonable and ſafe duty, but alſo was attended with a faithfull and edifying adherence, to our true and ſent Teachers. And page 194. hath theſe words, that ſeparation is a departing from ane union, once acknowledged, even in theſe things, that are in themſelfes not condemned, and thus does moſt expreſly determine, the unwarrantableneſs of falling of from Church fellowship with the indulged Miniſters on that head, after ſo known and acknowledged union with theſe in the publick ordinances, even after the acceptance of the indulgence, till of late, but that you may know, what is the ſenſe and declared judgment of this Author, in this caſe, I ſhall give you now further his own words, pag. 487. oppoſing himſelf herein to theſe ſharp reflections of G. B. But you doe not only make your Non-conformiſt to cede as it were to your reaſonings; but in a manner to own the late pretended indulgence, as flowing from the ſupremacy, as on purpoſe to fix on theſe few Miniſters of ours, who have been thereby reſtored, at leaſt a conſtructive approbation of this evill. And there in the following page has theſe words. But not to loſe time in theſe triflings, I differ from your Non-conformiſt, and am ſo much againſt the ſupremacy, that I abominate the indulgence under this name, but that God has diſpoſed the King to reſtore in any meaſure what was ſo ſinfully taken away, we account it a great bleſſing, wiſhing that he may be in ſuch manner ſatiſfied with the fruits of this courſe, as may more and more convince him of its righteouſneſs, and encourage him to its proſecution. But if you, or any think, by this poor and ſcant reſtitution, to bribe the Lords people, to the reſt of your uſurpations; we truſt the Lord will deliver his own; and that as hitherto, our Miniſters has looked upon themſelfes as ſuch, neither of Man, nor only by Man; but by Jeſus Chriſt and God the Father; ſo they will accordingly acquit themſelfes, and in a ſpeciall manner teſtify for his right and ordinance, againſt all invaſions; and that ſo much the more, as the hard condition of the preſent times, hath engaged them to an ſeeming allowance of that of which they ought to purge themſelfes in the firſt place: thus you ſee what is the declared judgment of that Author in this preſent caſe, yea, how far he is a length herein; and I hope non will queſtion his ſpeaking his light, and judgment in this ſincerly; but that we may ſee different judgments and apprehentions in this caſe ſhould not ſeeme ſo ſtrange now in the Church.
Nintly, But ſince ſo great a weight is layed on this, that the indulged Miniſters are in the ſame claſſe, and caſe, with theſe who are Prelatick, yea, ſeems rather to hold them out as worſe; I muſt now affer ſome few things on this head, for any diſcerning Reader to conſidere. (1.) How viſibly this hath tended, to a ſad heightening the preſent breach; that the juſt grounds, whereon we have keept ſuch a diſtance from the hearing of ſuch, hath not been more weighed, and underſtood; and how theſe can give no poſſible warrant, to make the ſame inference in this preſent controverſy. (2.) That the ſtretching of this by ſome to ſo great a height, as to take arguments hence, for forbearing to hear, ſo many eminently godly and able Non-conformed Miniſters, upon this head of the indulgence; would truly ſeem, as if deſigned, rather to weaken its ſtrenth againſt the Prelatick party, and give ſuch, to ſad ane advantage againſt us, in this day. (3.) Since it is not in theſi, or without a due conſideration of theſe ſpeciall grounds, and juſt concurrence of circumſtances in the complex caſe now of our Church, this can be underſtood for not hearing of the Curats, but as ſuch, which in a ſpeciall way muſt be ſtated by it ſelf: (for it might otherwiſe tend, to a ſad prejudice to the truth, and publick intereſt of the Reformed Churches, and run unawares on a very evident precipice) I muſt therefore beſeech and obteſt, that this may be more adverted to, and that we may know how ſutably to give a reaſon, of our light and practiſe herein, upon clear and evident grounds for which I ſhall offer theſe. (1.) That with the late erection of Prelacy, there was then no departure from any acknowledged union with ſuch, but a ſimple Non-complyance, and a publick owning and adhering to theſe faithfull Non-conformed Miniſters, under whom they had been formerly ſed; though it is true, that not a few after, when their heart was touched by the word, fell more of from hearing of ſuch, upon ſo diſcernible difference, they found among them, and the Non conformed Miniſters. (2.) That here is no dark or controverted caſe, in our Church, as to the evill and dreadfulneſſe of Prelacy, and of any acceſſion to ſtrengthen that intereſt, but that wherein we are explicitly ſworn to by the oath of God, to endeavour, in our ſeverall places and ſtations, the extirpation of, and thus, ſhould be preſſed to keep at furtheſt diſtance from any tendency, to ſtrenthen the ſame; yea, while ſuch ſevere acts and threatenings of the Councill, hath been iſſued out there upon, does make this the more a caſe of confeſſion, tho they ſhould be eaſily ſatisfied this day if all ſhould forbear to hear the indulged. (3.) That forbearance now to hear the Curats, is in a caſe, wherein the previous cognition, and authoritative judgment of the Church of Scotland, and generall aſſemblies thereof, hath by a judiciall procedure, been ſo expreſſe and full thereanent; yea, though not the ſame individuall perſons, yet in the very ſame caſe, conformity to Prelacy hath been upon a clear, publick, and judiciall tryall, moſt ſolemnly judged and ſentenced, by the indicatories of our Church; which ſheweth the great diſparity betwixt this, and a few private perſons, taking on them, to judge and ſentence their Brethren, upon a practiſe under ſuch debate this day, among the moſt ſeriouſly godly in the land, yea, this in expreſſe oppoſition to the judgment of moſt of the Non-conformiſts in our Church. (4.) This diſcernible difference is here alſo, and may be convincing to all, as we are on all hands ſo fully one in acknowledging of the truth, as we can debate theſe ſad differences among us, upon common principles which are mutually conſented to, and does not divide in the ſame center, whilſt by the Conformiſts there is ſo publick and profeſſed among of Prelacy, as both there principles and practiſe are ſtated in ane expreſſe oppoſition. (5.) It is undenyable likewayes, that the intruſion of moſt of ſuch as are Conformiſts, amongſt theſe where they fixed, can have no place here; ſince, ſo far as I know, none that accepted the indulgence, have wanted ſome expreſſe call from, and conſent of both the Elderſhip and people, and however, that act of the Councell was antecedent thereto, yet, were they neither commanded nor obliged, to any election of theſe more then of others, by that act; but hath it left to their own conſent, whether to call them or not. (6.) Nor can it be ſaid, that ſuch who were indulged, (except theſe who hath that liberty to their own congregations) did come under any further relation, but to exerce their Miniſtry there, upon mutuall conſent, where they had more free and peacable acceſſe, and without prejudice, to any former relation, or tye, to their congregations.
Laſtly I muſt further adde, with ſome aſtoniſhement at what is declared intent of theſe arguments, adduced there that it is to vindicate the practice of ſuch as ſcruple to own or hear any indulged Miniſters, & thus to fix them who were bot heſitant before, to a further falling of from the hearing of ſuch, the tendency of which & whether this would lead, I muſt judge hath not been apprehended or advented to, and that theſe ſad conſequences would neceſſarily fallow thereon; firſt to lay a ſtumbling block in the way of many thouſands of the people, who had no ſuch ſcruple herein ſo far as to prejudge, & weaken their edification by their Miniſtry; yea thus fruſtrat that ſucceſs and fruit their work of the Goſpell might have; and Oh! muſt the ſcrupling of ſome few be thus publickly vindicated, at ſo dear a rate as the too viſible hazard of ſo many immortall ſouls in taking them either wholly off or marring their profit in the publick ordinances diſpenſed by ſo many able, and ſerious Miniſters of Chriſt; and how very ſad a conſequence is this alſo to fix perpetuat a formed rent in the Church, by laying thus down dividing principles (I muſt ſay not according to the doctrine of Chriſt that we have receaved) to ſalve a dividing practice, which otherwiſe we might hope, ſhould have ere now worn out; but there they expreſly fix the unlawfulneſs of hearing any of theſe, ſo long as that caſe exist of their being indulged except upon that ſuppoſall which I hope through grace ſhall never take place of there being no preaching Miniſtry els in the whole Church, and thus doeth lay down a new rule, and precedent buit with that diſadvantage that I humbly judge its greateſt weight, and inforcement moſt be from the authority of the impoſers, though of ſuch ane import as upon the matter it is noe leſs then to ſentence; yea, ſome way unchurch all theſe congregations who own & adhere to their Miniſtry. I thought it a grave remark of a choiſe and eminent Miniſter of Chriſt, in thir late times upon this head; I could, ſayes he, relate many ſad ſtories of perſons profeſſing godlineſs, who out of diſlike begane at firſt to ſeparate from our Church meetings, and after many changes are turned now ſome Quakers, ſome Ranters and Atheiſts, theſe are his very words with this reaſon he did give thereof, that ſuch as fall off from the publick worſhip are like a Man tumbling down a hill that never leaves, till he come to the bottom.