Review and Examination of the Doctrine, Title page – Preface
Rectius Instruendum Or A REVIEW and EXAMINATION Of the doctrine presented by one assuming the Name of ane Informer, in three dialogues with a certain Doubter, upon the controverted points of Episcopacy, the Covenants against Episcopacy, and Separation.
Wherein The unsoundnes, and (in many thinges) the inconsistency of the Informers principles, arguments, and answers, upon these points, the violence which he hath offred unto the holy scripture, and to diverse authors ancient and modern, is demonstrat and made appear. And that truth which is after godlines, owned by the true protestant Presbyterian Church of Scotland, asserted and vindicated.
Prov 19. 27
Cease, myson, to hear the instruction that causeth to erre from the words of knowledge.
Printed in the Year, 1684.
THE PREFACE to the reader
Christian reader
THat which the wiseman long since offered to their consideration who observe the revolving course of providence, is ther any thing wherof it may be said, this is new, hath its signal accomplishment, in the renewed collisions of opinions and debeats. The conflicts betwixt truth and error or not of yesterday, but as early as the morning of time, when he who is a liar from the beginning assaulted with a horrid calumny the truth and faithfulnes of God, and having by a lie mad a breach in our first parents integrity, by inducing them to believe it, instilld his poison into our nature, a love of darknes rather then light. The eye of the understanding (like natures bodily organ when its cristalin humor is vitiat) cannot see and receive the impression of its object, (truth and duty) in its lively colours and nat… simplicity; and if sometimes the clear beames of truth force a passage for it self, & make some impression upon the perverse & dark mind of man, O how quickly is that litle Victory lost, this begun signature obliterat, by the rebellious will & affections. The carnal mind is not subject to the Law of God nor can be, hence truth is detaind in unrightiousness, convictions stiffled, and the convincing spirit of God counteracted and grieved. Hence all the renewed pleadings for, & discoveries of truth, begets in most men (by a wofull antiperistasis) nothing but renewed contradiction & spurnings against it, While (as the suns vigorus influence upon the vapors of this dull earth) by its irradiations it attracts, and condenses thick foggs, dark clouds of peruerse disputings the more to obscure it self. Yet a holy seed there is and hath been in all generations, children of light and of the day, whose work; and honourable badge it is to contend and be valiant for the truth; who under the conduct of Michael that great prince who stands up for his people (truths sincere lovers and asserters) have from the beginning warred this good warfare against that old apostat, and his followers. So that the warr which John saw in heaven, betwixt Michael and the Dragon, was not then only begun, but a new battel and encounter of that old warr proclaimd in paradise betwixt the seed of the woman and the serpent. All men are inrolled in one of these two armies, imbarques in one of these interests according as they are regenerat, or unregenerat, as they have the seed of God in them or not; & discovries of truth have various effects accordingly, either of more intense love, or violent hatred, as the sun shining upon the flowers & dunghil, draws equally forth a sweet & stinking savour. The erecting of this royal stand art of Zions King and lawgiver ingadges his faithfull witnesses to flow unto it, and come under it, and excits such who have but the spirit of that world in them, to a counter-muster against it. Who would not have thought, that the longed for appearances of that Immanuel, and desire of all nations, that eternal word and wisdom of God in the flesh, should have put an end to all rebellion of wretched sinners aga… him; but it never grew more, then by his convincing discovries of himself. Eternal truth and holines suffred contradiction of sinners against himself, he oft silenced enemies reasonings, not their malice, and the most admirable actings of his effectionat condescending love to men, the giving of himself to death for them, was intertained with the most virulent and hellish eruptions of their wrath against him, in murthring him. The rulers opposed this great ruler of Israel, the learned scribes and rabbies with all their literal knowledge of Moses and the Prophets, could not yea would not see and acknowledge this great Prophet, the covenanted people would not receive this great messenger of the Covenant; and they who boasted to be Abrahams seed, rejected this promised seed, could not see him when among them, but hated him, whom Abraham saw a far off, and rejoyced in the discovery. Yet this wisdom of God was then, and still is, justified of all children of God, and such as are of the truth will see its beauty throw all the mists of mens calumnies and contendings against it.
The angry cloud wherwith God hath now of a considerable time covered the daughter of Zion in our land, challenges in this as much as in any thing else, our mournfull observation, & simpathizing compassion, that men have taken the boldnes, with perverse disputings to infest her true sons and children, to assault her precius ordinances and priviledges, and with a barefac'd impudence to indeavour the removal of the ancient land marks which our fathers have set, nay which the great God hath established. Yea to cajoll us with poor sophistry into a carless disregard and abandoning of the magnalia Dei, the great things of gods Law (important truths and dueties) as if they were meer trifles and indifferencies; to cast the aspersions of supercilius scrupulositie upon true zeal for God, of rebellion, upon true loyalti and faithfulness to the King of saints, of devisive humor, upon sincer indeavours after the union and true order of the house of God, is it not to put light for darknes and darknes for light, bitter for wee…t, and sweet for bitter, yea cru… percilius mockrie. Yet at this rate are we treated by our prelatick pamphleters. The authority of the second great moral precept anent the receiving and maintaining of all gods ordinances, the doct. worsh. disc. and governm. of his house, the weight and importance of the third anent the observation of most sacred solemn oathes and vowes to him for this great end, weighes but light in these mens ballances; but he whose hand holds the plummet and line judgeth otherwise, their ballances are false, not the ballances of the sanctuary. Their new plagiary divinity depending in a great measure upon the camelion-rule of worldly wisdom, and steering its course by the versatil rule of human lawes, is calculat for any meridian, but that of canaan & immanuels land, where all must go to his Law and testimony, and is pronounced base mettal, which is reprobat by that touchston, where every pin of the tabernacle must have its samplar from the holy mount, ere it get his approbation, and have the cloud of his glorious presence created upon it. The golden, preface giving a lustre & beauty unto the prophets message was, thus saith the lord, but these mens ordinary Anthem is thus saith the Law, presenting their dishes under that leaden cover. Our new Ashodits have lost the language of Canaan, or at best do but (like those mungrels mentioned by Nehemia) speak half the Jewes language, half of ashdod, debasing thus the golden rule, by a heterogenens mixtur of human testimonies & principles. O How is our wine mixt with Water, the beauty of the virgin Daughter of Zion defaced. That Gebal, Ammon, Amalek & such like do in…est & take crafty councel against Gods Church, is nothing so amazing or dangerous as when there is a conspiracy of her prophets within her walls. 'Tis a great question whither these mens malice in wounding our Church, and taking away her vail, while pretending to act the guardians and watchmen, or their treachery in superficial flight healing of her wound, will be found the deepest challenge when the great shepherd comes to plead with them. But sure, both the one and the other will make make up a dreadfull impeacement. Who ever saw this house of God in our married land, in its pristine glory & integrity, can but mourn over the present desolation. These gates once called praise, have now desolation set upon their threshold. These walls once called salvation, are laid in dust & rubbish. The joyfull sound and voice of the turtle (echoed with the singing of birds, and vigorus heart motions towards the glorious bridgroom) are turned into the harsh sound of enemies roarings, and direfull threats, crying raze it raze it to the foundation. To see Bethel turned Bethaven, and men, yea pretended builders, lifting up axes not upon the thick trees to advance the building of the house, but upon the carved work, to destroy it, may make ane impression of sorrow upon any heart, but that of adamant. Israel wept at the sad newes of Gods refusing to go with them unto the promised land, but especialy when they were brought back from the very borders of Canaan for their disobedience and unbelief, & doomed to return and die in the wildernes, spending the remainder of their dayes and yeares in vanity and trouble. 'Tis long since the glorious cloud is withdrawn to the threshold of our sanctuary, and the darke, not the auspicius light some side, turned unto us, yet who are following the glory, who are found crying out a penitent [Ichabod] over its departing. The building was so far advanced, that we were ex…pecting to see the headston brought forth with shoutings and acclamations of grace grace, to see the glorius accomplishment of a work of reformation in Britaine and Ireland, but ah! we are brought back from the borders of this great hope of a compleated reformation, into this wilderness of the must dismall desolation that ever the work of God hath been exposed unto since the foundation thereof was laid. What means the heat of this great anger, and where will it issue? Afire is kindled in his anger, afire of angry Jealousie, but shall it burn for ever, is there none to make up the breach and stand in the gap.
Ezekiel saw the healing waters issuing from the temple, and upon a desirable auspicius advanc, first to the ankles, then the knees: then to the loins, and at la… … great river. But now the waters of ou… Mara, the Serpents flood of errour ca… out after the fleeing Woman, and of prophanity flowing from our defiled sanctuary, have been long flowing apace, & are become of a prodigious grouth. Our Presbyterian Church-judicatories, are not straitnedonly bytheinvasion of the ancient Prostasie, or fixed moderator, (which cost K. James some pains to effectuat) but their root must be plucked up, either as Presbyterian, or as Ecclesiastick courts; all their decisive power contracted into a Prelats ipse dixit; and all his pretended spiritual authority, resolving into the sic volo of a civil papacy, regulable by it self onelyonly, no superiour rule. How deeply we have drunk of the whoors cup; and what a deluge of monstruous wickedness, hath overwelmd us since this idol of jealousiewas set up, ought rather to be weept over then written. Thenameof our Church is nomore Iehova Shamma, the Lord is there, nay that glorious motto is turned unto the dolefull inscription of Lo-ammi Lo-ruhama not any people, not having obtained mercy And, which is strange, this monstruous Dagon of Erastian Prelacy like a Medusa hath charmd the generation into ane amazing stupidity, yea the most unto an adoration of it, though it hath oftner then once faln before Gods Ark, and its head and hands have been cutt off upon the threshold of the sanctuary, a convincing proof that it is not a God. But that it might not want the dedication and adoration of its fellow set up in the plain of Dura, it hath been attended with the menacing Heralds voice—to you it is commanded- and who Worships not &c,- And the melodious Harmony of charming musitians. The quills of our Prelatick pleaders and Pamphleters have struke up their best notes and measures to gain the designe. But the Menaces, and the Idols golden mettal have far ut done the musitians in persuading, whose treeples of old & of late, have met with such baffling Contra's that the sagacius eare is not fond of ther shril sounds. Which have long since krakt the strings of our sound Protestant principles.
For this late Pamphleter, who hath drest up minc't-meat of soom old fragmens to please childish Pallats, I suppose few or none who have pierc't into the bowels of our present controversies, have judged him so considerable, as to deserve a formal encounter, there being nothing which he or any of our late Scriblers hath offered, but what is already sufficiently answered. So that these litle toying mean Dialogues, were like to passe along as securely in their own want of worth, as Bessus in the Comedy. Yet in one point or two I cannot but commend him, first that the substance of this book answers its inscription of the differences of the time, these 3 points being indeed the chief cardines of our present differences, in which had he satisfyed all the Presbyterian ararguments he had done much to cut the sinnews of their cause. But how far are we at a losse in this Expectation, when the book is lookt over, not one of these great questions fairly stated, scarce one Argument of Presbyterians so much as fairly proposed, but enfeebled by silly disguises, and the answers to them such poor and ridiculous evasions, as if he had intended in this discovry of the weaknes of his cause to proselyt his Readers into Presbyterians, if they were not such before, in stead of weakning that party by this new assault; the great point of Erastianism not so much as once toucht: And so notwithstanding of all his defence of the Diocesian Bishop, the Erastian Bishop Lying opene to all the weapons, & wounds of such as have impugned those principles. And upon the debate about the Covenants, and Separation, the only presents us with soomwhat of their old musty store, who have appeared in this cause of late, whose notions are more crude after all this mans recocting, a convincing proof that there was in the first con…oction, ane indigestible error. Next I find some what more of a seren temper, lesse of the sarcastick scolding strain, then what hath tinctured his fellew-actors upon this sceen, who have bravely scolded it out against the Presbyterians, even to a non ultra of that Thersites - artifice, although now and then he puts out his litle sting too this way. In soom things also his Ingenuity deservs its praise, in advancing Prelacy so neer the popes miter, both in his pleadings from the Iewish Priesthood, & from antiquity, wherein he hath purtrayed the beast in exacter lineaments, then soom moresmooth pleaders. His Character of the term [Curat] viz on that serves the cure though not the Minister of the place, and of their preaching upon shorter texts, that it is a racking of the Text and of their brains to find out matter, is honest and apposit, for which the Presbyterians do owe him thanks; but thereby their doubts in the point of Prelacy, & the present Separation, are so strengthned, and like to grow, and especially by his feeble resolutions, that they verily judge he shall never prove the Aedipus, but is in extreme hasart to be devouted in this encounter, & Actaeon-like, to be torn in pieces by the kennell of his own pretended resolutions and Arguings, retorted and hunted back upon him. They do also look upon the Dialogizing Method, so much pleasing him & some of his fellowes, as a cover (but now very dilucid and transparent) to hide the childish sophistry, of disguising the true state of questions, and the strength of Presbyterian Arguments, while they must fight with no weapons, but of their adversaries choice and measuring: When the Knight enters the lists with a huge invincible gyant, the encounter looks very unequall, and fatall like to the sprightly litle Combatant; but the Romance maker can so order the seene, that he shall be sure to lay his adversary all a long, and come off victorious. Our Adversaries have too long ridicul'd our serious Theologicall debates, with their play-bookes; wherein they do but render themselves ridiculous. what hath the chaff to do with the wheat? When will they offer a fair and formall enucleation of this controversy, and discusse our Arguments long since offered unto them, which do stand to this day unanswered? How long will they beg Principles, beg concessions, and rear up soaring like Arguments upon a Chimaericall fundation, and then Accost their credulous hearers or readers with Thrasonik boasts and Rhetoricall Rhodomontadoes, which are as insipid and tastlesse to the discerning, as the Artificiall fruit to the hungry pallat.
Reader, for the design of this undertaking, I have this to say, that although I have as litle as many men coveted such appearances, yet have been perswaded to be thus publick upon this occasion, that having casually met with this Pamphlet, after it had for a considerable time travelled up and down, I judged it expedient to employ upon it some solitary houres, wherein I was taken offfrom other employments, both to prevent languishing, and to satisfy the desire of a friend, whom I highly esteem; as likewayes to undeceive some simpler and lesse discerning readers, who seem'd to be taken with this piece; which essay after a considerable times lurking coming into the hands of some welwishers to our Zion. I did at last yield to their importunity in reference to the publication. Whatever entertainment this may meet with, and how keen soever the darts of malicious reproach may prove which are levelled at me, Hic murus Aheneus esto, I have this shield, that I can say it before the heart searcher, without heart condemning, that as I intended herein a vindication of Truth and duty, and according to my measure and capacity to give this testimony for it, to the strengthning of a poor afflicted remnant contending for the same, so in writing these sheets, I had an eye upon the father of lights for his help and presence, and dare not deny but that this was found in some good measure accordingly. And in the perusal of what is here offered unto publick view (which was not at first directly my intention) I would have thee looking after these with other emprovements.
First, thou may discover what a honourable cause wee now contend for, even the Crown dignity and Royal prerogative of Jesus Christ, his glorious supremacy over his own house, in appointing its officers, lawes, ordinantes; for the true frame of his tabernacle according to the pattern shewed upon the mount, for that Government of his house delivered in his perfect and glorious testament, sealed with his blood, for fealty & loyalty to this King of Kings, in keeping his Covenant into which this nation and Church so solemnly entered; for the walls and bulwarks of this City of God in opposition to antichristian underminers and invaders thereof, for these solemn Assemblies of his saints upon the ancient grounds and principles of our Reformation (so much now aspersed by devouring tongues) the ceasing wherof in our Zion ought to engage to sorrow, and a lamenting after our provoked Lord, now hiding himself from us. Enemies have often invaded him upon his his throne of grace, and professed friends have not sincerely aproach'd unto it.
Next, As to our adversaries pleading against us in this quarrel, thou mayest discover first, that they are snar'd, as by the works of their hands, so by the Words of their lips, and fall before the rebound of their our Arguments; this mans pleadings against us, especially upon the point of separation, levelling so clearly against himself, that such who impartially read him upon his point may straight entertain this reflection, It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks, and that its easy to pull this Egyptians spear out of his hand and kill him with his own spear. Secondly, thou may see, what monstrous issues they are driven unto in the defence of their cause, what a chain of contradictions & absurdities they have twisted to wind themselves out of their inextricable Labirinth, that they hatch cockatric eggs; obstinat maintaining of one absurdity begets a hundred; so true is that saying & prophecy, evil men shall waxe worse & worse deceiving, & being deceived. How palpably have they wrested the holy Scriptures to shift the convictions thereof, and make some shift of answer? How laxe and absurd are their new principles in point of Oaths, resolving their strength into the Magistrates arbitriment and Lawes; besides other odd posterns which they have opened to escape allobligations thereby, if their matter be not indispensably necessary, which with them is in a great measure determined by the Law. What a monstrous Chaos of more then Infidel-barbarity and confusion shall this world become, if these mens faith-banishing principles be once admitted. Thirdly, to evince, that our Prelats puppets and new pleaders are Babe… true brood and builders, thou mayest see, how sweetly they joyn with the Papists in their glosses upon these Scirptures, pleaded against them. Whenc it is evident, even to a demonstrative certainty, that the cause of popry and prelacy, are of ane inseparable affinity, and stand or fall together. If this mans glosses whereby he shifts off our Scripture Arguments, striking at the Bishops mitre, be once admitted, the popes triple crown is equally shielded against the weapons of all Protestants. Our learn'd Protestant divines in confuting the popish evasions do so manage their dispute, as if they were directly pleading against this Informer in defending our Prelacy. And who heares his glossings, pleadings and answers, would imagine that by some Metempsuchosis, Bellarmine or Eccius were now acting the Informer to proselyt the Presbyterians to our Prelacy or a papacy rather. Besides, 'tis clear he embarques, with the Papists in his endeavour to bring in antiquity and the Churches practice, as the infallible comment upon the Scripture in the Episcopall debate, consequently in all debats in Theology. Nay we must measure the Temple and the Altar, mould our Arguments in this point of truth by Scripture standard; but for the utter court of Antiquity, wee leave it out, for its given to the Gentiles. Its many soul principles and practices will not be gotten within the Holy Scripture verge. This man in his Scripture pleadings is very sparing, for a few pages measure will do it. But for Antiquity ware he mets us out large and full, to the great part of all the book; and in this he deals honestly giving the courser stuff the larger yard.
In fine, thou may see these men discovered beyond all their hiding pretences of love, peace and unity; their large spacious charity (extended to the dimensions of a Metropolitans pallace) hath fine entertaining rooms for Papists, Quakers, Arminians, &c. but the poor Presbyterians will scarce get such a room in it as Bishop Bonners colehouse wherein he lodged the martyrs; they cry out one Presbyterian Ministers as refusing all Christian fellowship with them in worship: but when shall we see them open their pulpits to our Ministers, after they have banish'd them from their own flocks? They vili… all our differences unto meere punctilioes; yet they contend about them tanquam pro aris & focis, and had rather all Presbyterians were harassed and persecuted, even to a consuming desolation, then one fringe of their Garments, (As Bishop Lighton call'd the points debated) were cut off and let go. They declame zealously in their pulpits and Pamphlets against sanguinary Principles. How can these cruell men, say they, looke up to the God of love? But now after they have drunk pretty largely for many years of Presbyterian blood, and are gaping for more as fast as the bloody whore of Rome who in a great measure influences them, these devout Burrio's, can wipe their mouths, and pretend they have peace offerings with them. Mistery Babylon! Mystery Prelacy! What ane abysse of deceit is here.
In the third place, thou may see, that the cause wee contend for, as it hath the first and pure Scripture Antiquity, so the next ensuing Antiquity also, and the patrociny of the purer ages, and the auspiciously Harmonious consent of reformed Churches and divines; So that our present Testimony is the same with that of the witnesses against the beast, and our adversaries stand arranged under Antichrists banner, in the whole series at least & complex farrago of their principles. A Diocesian Erastian Prelacy, underprop't by blood and Perjury, headed by a civill papacy, embracing in its bosome all foul errours, is a hideous Monster, a bowing wall, a tottering sence, and lookes in face and feature so unlike to Christs bride, held out and pourtrayed in Scripture, and once gloriously shining in this land, that no disciple of Christ no friend of the Bridegroom, can mistake the one for the other; So that our adversaries charge of novell heterodoxy is a new minted calumny, a frighting buk bear and scar-cnow. fit to fright children in knowledge, to be the derision of the knowing, and for nothing else.
Fourthly, thou hast here set before thee, a looking glasse representing our sin and punishment in these later dayes. Wee have not suitably emproven a faithfull Ministry (once our Churches crown and glory) now that crown is falling apace, how many stars hath the dragon cast from heaven to earth. Wee have not not studied personall reformation, while publick Nationall reformation was owned; therefore the holy Jealous God hath given us up to an avowed disouning of that reformation. Wee endeavoured not, while Gods candle shin'd upon our tabernacle, to get our case discovered and search'd, our hearts sprinkled from an evill Conscience, therefore most of us are given up to Conscience - Wasting sins. We have not drawn with joy, from our wells of salvation, while they were open and running in a plenty of powerfull & pure ordinances; now God hath suffered Philistines to stop these Wells; and while wee endeavour to dig them again, such are the counter endeavours of this man and his fellowes by their pleading and practices, that they are called Ezek and Sitna, strife and contention. Wee are like to dig and strive long ere wee get the well called Rehoboth, and faithfull Ambassadours of Christ shall find their old rooms again in the house of God. Wee …ave not keept up a due impression of the … …lidging force of our National & solemne Covenants with God; who of us have endeavoured to perform our vowes to God therein? Therefore God hath given most of us up to a palpable disowning and shamelesse renunciation and abjuration of these great and sacred Oaths. Wee hid our selves from discoveries of our practical breaches and many whorish departings from God pointed at by our faithfull Seers; now he hath given us up to a legall avowed departing. The accursed thing which was before secretly with us, is now pleaded for, disputed for, by pretended Seers and wathmen; even the remnanm have dealt treacherously with God; therefore he hath given them up to treacherous dealers, who have dealt very treacherously with them. Wee were wearied of reformation, wearied of God, and said to our faithfull seers, see not, prophecy not right things, but deceits, get you out of the way, cause the holy one of Israel to cease from before us. Ourwhorish hearts lusted after a sinfull liberty and Egypts fleshpots, neither were wee throughly … ged from our old sins our iniquities of … Therefore God hath answered us … cording to the Idols of our heart, an… hath said to us (after wee have set up ou… Calves) go to Bethel, transgresse at Gi… gall, &c. He hath given us our desire and sent leannesse into our soul. Our noble Vine, because so dreadfully degenerat, is now whithered and wasted, plukt up in fury, planted in the wildernesse and fire going out of it self to devour its own fruit. This is a lamentation and shall be for a lamentation.
Fiftly, Thou mayest in the perusal of this reply, discover somthing also of light arising in darknesse, the strength and solidity of our principles demonstrate in the plain and easy repulse of these assalliants. The indigested chattered congeries of their new notions do appear but meer vanity, a deceitfull nothing, when levelled against these great truths which wee contend for, notwithstanding of all their clamorous boasting; as the threatning billowes having made a waterish battery upon the rock fall off again in empty froath; so that we may see it accompli… of our cause and principles which … Jobs hope as to the issue of his troubles …en they are tryed they come forth as …ld. And our adversaries light empty …akets cannot by thousands of degrees counterpoise them, when both are laid together in the even Scripture Ballances. Truth under all stroakes Virescit Vulnere the bruising of it by dispures diffuses it scent and makes it (as the breaking of that Alabaster box did the oyntment) the more fragrant. Thus our holy wise God brings meat out of the eater; its the Priviledge of Truth, in relation to perverse disputes against it, which was promised to Zion, when enemies were gathered together, that it doth arise & thresh them The Horns of this honourable cause are found horns of Iron and its hooves brasse: it can thresh (as it hath done before) even the mountains: (For what are they before Zerubbabel) and sift and fann themas dust. This is a signal token for good in the dark and cloudy day, that these great truths, which are now become the Shibboleth, the speciall object of our Testimony, and adherence thereunto, the chara… stick of the Lambs followers, are co… firmed and shining in a heart engad… ing beauty: if we hold fast this Testimo… wee are sure to come off victorious, to g… the white stone & the new name: If wee quit and cast off this fortifying girdle of Truth, we will succumb, and be written in the dust, not among the living in Jerusalem.
For the manner and Method of this reply, it will, I suppose be found very suitable to the scope. The language is plain and accommodat to polemicks, which do reject all extravagant ornaments of speech. The Informers Arguments are proposed vivida, vegeta, ad amissim oft times verbatim, and nothing of seeming strength or nerves in his reasoning declined, but fully weighed and examined. The Presbyterian Arguments, which he hath disguised, are presented and offered in their genuine strength, and fully improven against him; Wherin this trifler is called to the orders, and his tergiversation check't and made appear. The state of every one of these questions is likewayes proposed, and Arguments drawen …th thereupon, which do abundantly …tify the Presbyterian cause and Princi…s, and in a great measure obviat all his Exceptions, and this in the beginning of every Dialogue before any formall encounter with him. So that if any shall endeavour again to underprop this tottering wall and to draw this saw back again, they must be tyed to the same Methode; weighing all that is offered in the sound ballances of Scripture and reason, and not in such a faint, superficiall, dispute-deserting Methode as the Answer to the Dialogues betwixt the Conformist and Non-conformists hath been plyed with; whose replyer doth but (like the dogs at Nilus) leape here & there superficially thus measuring out the dimensions of the whole book with litle or nothing of a formall encounter with the Answerer his Arguments and reasons.
Some things there are, that do require a litle touch of Apology; if any quarrel the prolixity, 'tis easily granted that a sufficient answer might have been contracted into far lesse bounds; yet as every writers head or hand is not so skilful as to put ane Iliad into a nut, so every rea… hath not the tooth to crack that nut; ma… row is nauseating rather then nourishing to many stomaks. And as the stronger co… densed light of the Sun, whither in its direct, or refracted beams, hurts weaker eyes; so all eyes are not for the small print of the Laconick stile, nor can every judgement readily digest too much epitomized arguings, especially in such subjects wherein the spissitude and variety of the matter, requires a more dilated stile and method. The fair stating of these great points (now the axletree, about which our religious differences are turn'd) the giving of light unto them by solid Arguments may well bear the charge of some little paines in reading in order to satisfaction therein; and the man is a wretched miser who would b… scant as to the affording of time and diligence in this endeavour.
If any desiderat a more particular Examen of the Testimonies of the Fathers and some other Authors cited by the Informer; there are several grounds which may take off this exception. First, since, upon both sides it is professedly agreed at the scripture is the only judge in this …bate, and since both parties now con…nding (as also the fathers themselves and all sound Christians) have professed to subscribe ane absolute appeal to this judge in matters of religion (whatever deviations from this rule and profession, this man and his fellowes are guilty of in their arguings and pleadings, especially in this point) matters, I say, standing thus in this debate among professed Protestants, who are disputing from scripture, certainly a critical scanning of, or litigiouscon test about the sense ofevery humanewriter, they must in their principles acknowledge to be but a digladiation de lana cap…ina, a spending of money for that which is not bread. When any disputant hath with much critical travel among the fathers, brought home their suffrage to his cause, or by the same diligence taken it out of an adversaryes hand as it were with his sword and this bow, what is all the victory? a humane testimony brought to fortify a divine truth (which was before strong and impregnable in its own light and authority and a testimony apt to a wired… by a subtiler Critick to a different or contrary sense. Next, the scriptures decision in this debat, being (as it is hoped) convincingly made appear, and the chief testimonies of fathers for our cause vindicated against this adversary, no rational or ingenuous reader will judge it expedient, after the scripture decision is made appear and the testimonies of eminent fathers also, and the adversaryes contrary humane testimonyes, as to the main, dispelled, to pursue every stragling citation. Thirdly, 'tis evinced that as upon the one hand all his testimonyes upon the point of Prelacy, though admitted, do but amount to demonstrat the factum, which is not the question, and not all the Ius, which only is, so upon the other hand they are as far short of reaching any patrociny to the present Diocesian Erastian Prelat as the Pigmees arme is to fetch down Ulysses helmet. Now what superfluous wast of time were it to insist in scanning of testimonyes adduced to prove that which is not the question? the disputant hath but a mean labour in trying whether his adversaryes conclusion is deducd according … rules, and followes on the premises, when the conclusion it self is a long dayes journey out of the lists and ranges of the question, and not the negatum or the principle which the adversary undertakes to prove. If any man will from this Informers testimonyes draw out our Diocesian Erastian Prelat, in the nature and extent of the power now exercised by him, he may give a defie to all the Virtuosi to match him in chymical extractions, and may have the chief chair for invention. All the fathers cited by this disputant are as ambiguous as the Delphick Oracles in our debate. In fine, this piece is chiefly addressed to the plain simple searcher for truth, to furnish him with stones from mount Zions brook (with plain scripture Arguments) to encounter and overcome our Philistine braggards: not to charge his unskilful weake shoulders and armes with Sauls unwieldy armour. How tastlesse and uselesse to the unlearn'd, a dispute about the sense of humane writers is, when the inquiry and debate is about a divine truth, wherein the conscience must he satisfied upon divine warrand, need… not my pains to prove, it being obvious to the meanest reflection. If any shall yet except upon the want of a full examination of some Commentators upon scripture, whom the Informer appeales unto, 'tis answered, that if the sense of controverted texts be evinced from parallels, and the scope and contexture, and the Adversaryes argument repelled, the humane testimony or sense of some Interpreters must vail to this in the judgment of all Protestants; and besides, neither the suffrage of Commentators is wanting to our sense of these scriptures we plead, nor can this mans glosses be reconciled to the sense of sound Protestants. Which wee suppose the reader will find aboundantly clear in the Perusal. The learn'd do know that wee might muster up as many commentators suffrages to patronise our sense of text controverted, as would spatio conficere immensum aequor. The truth is, that with some, wee will need an Apology, in that, this piece is swelled to such a bulk upon this ground, & that so much of it is taken up in presenting and scanning the sense of authors; besides, the many testimonyes of reformed Churches and divines for Presby…erian Government which wee have presented in a short view in the last Chapter upon the first Dialogue, do, consequently give sentence for us, as to the sense of the texts scanned in this controversy, and more then counterballance any whom this man appealls unto.
Some, 'tis probable, may think strange, that the Informer hath so far got the start of this corrector, and travelled so long before this appeared; but such may be quickly satisfyed as to this punctilio of a time-ceremony, when they are made to understand that as this piece was a long time abroad ere ever I did see it, so after some sight of it, it was a considerabletime before I had the least intention of imparting my thoughts of it, & after I had this imparted them much more time did interveen before my intention did fully correspond with the presse motions, & accesse where it could be had. But however, the knowing reader will not so much value who replyed, or when; as what and how. Satcito si sat bene, is a sound proverb: although (if this matter did deserve any more Apology) it might be truly averred that the substance of this reply, all to a very little was written in the moneths of June and July in the Year 1681. since which time these sheets were much lurking and out of my hands. And but little opportunity offered for boring them through exactly after the writing thereof. Yet upon some renewed desires, as to the publication I did again hastily look them over amidst many avocations, dividing the whole into Chapters for Methods sake, with suitable inscriptions containing the summ & series of the chief points treated of; having also accesse to peruse some Authors which were not by me at first writing, some inlargements were made which have much encreased it to this bulk, and 'tis probable may make it prove rugged in several places, and not so intelligible to the plainunlearned reader, for whom at first writing it was principally, if not only, intended; yet for his advantage the Citations of Authors are all Englished, and some times rendered only in English, and often upon repeating some few of the Authors words, the sentence is broken off & the rest presented in our own language: which if it seem strange to any other; as the ground assigned will, I hope, satisfy, so a view of the Authors will be my vindication as to the truth of the testimonyes themselves.
Upon the point of Separation (which is a difficult and comprehensive question) I have not undertaken any large scrutiny into its nature and degrees, nor to scann the severall incident cases and subordinat questions, which the full discussing of that great point would require; desiring only to maintain the antithesis of the Informers principle and fundamentall Topick in the third Dialogue, and in so far only to enquire into this point as to vindicat this practice of presbyterian Ministers and professours their owning and following their respective duties, from his imputation of a sinfull and Schismatick separation; and therefore have not directly spoken to these cases, viz. what may be said for, or against Conformists Ministerial mission? What difference is in this our case betwixt a fix'd or stated, and ane occasional hearing. In what cases it might be abstracted from a formall ow… ing of Curats as Ministers of this Church? Whether a protestation at first hearing might be a sufficient salvo to free the practic from that complyance which is pleaded from the narratives and declared design of the Acts which do enjoyn it? And upon the affirmative solution of this case, what might be the nature, extent and circumstances of such a protestation? Whither the diverse cases and dispensations of severall places of our land, will import such a difference as to sin or duty in this point, as there might be a diversity of practice and union keeped therupon? These and several such like cases I have not taken upon me formally to state and clear (whatever light about them may follow upon what is here asserted) not finding it necessary in order to the scope of this defence, as the question with this Informer is stated and limited, norbeing desirous to render this reply of too great a bulk, or to be forward and presuming in difficult points. If the learned and Judicious desiderat here many things both as to matter and manner, as I doubt not, they will, let not the Presbyterian …ause and interest fall under the worse Character with them; this being but ane essay upon these great questions offered by a very mean person of that number, and not their joynt - polities and form'd thoughts; addressed also mainly to the plain and unlearned readers. Yet for its scope and substance, I doubt not, but it will be found such as is able to speake with the Enemy in the gate, and succsesfully to undergoe their assaults, if any such be made upon't. One thing is indeed to be regrated, wherof I could not but acquaint the reader in this place, that Because of many difficulties which the overseer of the first part, in Answer to the first Dialogue, at the presse, did labour under, Both in respect of the Copy and several other wayes, there are some considerable Tipographical errours which have creept into it, and several Latine and Greeck words misrepresented; of which errors, such as do considerably marr the sense are noted among the Errata. The other parts t'is hoped will not be so bad, & create the Reader such difficulty.
I shall also here acquaint the Reader that I have seen a manuscript entituled Positions relating to publick worship maintained by Presbyterians In former times, and contradicted by the practice of many in these dayes, driving the same design with this Informer in his third Di. alogue, and upon the same grounds, whereof I had written a considerable time since a full Examen, but cannot here present it: both, because that pasquil is not extant; and especially, because it is for substance fullyanswered in this reply. The Author upon these general acknowledged grounds of the obligation, lying upon all Church-members to attend the ordinances: the unlawfulnesse of separating from publick worship for the sins of Ministers or fellow-worshippers; the condemning of the Brounists in England by the old Non-conformists there, because of a totall Separation, though themselves did separat in part: their acknowledging of the lawfulnesse of Episcopal ordination for substance, &c. drawes out a strange and remote conclusion against Presbyterian Ministers of this Church, their officiating in their present case & circumstances, and peoples adhering to them in the exercise of their Ministry. The absurdity of which inference, and what a sand-rope connexion it is, needs not any renewed discovery here, which were but Actum agere. The impertinent and groundlesse suppositions upon which this inference is founded, and the confused shufling together of thatwhich in this question is to be distinguished, being aboundantly above evinced, and also the apparent inconsistency of this way and Method of Arguing: since from all these grounds a destroying conclusion may be drawn out against this pasquiller, in reference to the owning of Presbyterian Ministers in their Ministry: since the ordinances administred by them are really ordinances of Christ, their mission and ordination warrantable, the worship not corrupted by their supposed scandals, and consequently they are highly guilty who disown their Ministry, or plead for it; or else to evite the deadly rebound of his own weapons and Arguing, he must state the question of new, and restrict and limit to the particular state and circumstances of this Church; but then he must confesse his arguing upon these generall positions, to be but beating of the air and poor childish babling. It were not unpleasant to trace the many grosse contradictions incident to this way of arguing and apparent to men of an ordinary reach who have read this paper. First, [attending of ordinances] add [receiving them from Conformists] are all one and identified with them, yea tyed with adamantine chains; yet in the case of Presbyterian Ministers, these two are as far separat, as east & West. Secondly nothing but a substantial corruption of ordinances administred by Conformists can warrand a withdrawing from them, & this principle sayes the Author hath strong Scripture grounds to warrand it, But take this principle over to Presbyterian Ministers, and then it loses all its vertue, and he will find grounds of separating from them, were ordinances never so pure, and this is no strange thing, the sharpest sighted eye cannot see it self. Thirdly, a man can never be reconciled to himself, who confesses the Episcopal ordination lawful, and yet disowns Conformists. But once turn the Tables, and the game runs crosse; a man may acknowledge the Presbyterian Ministers have a lawfull ordination, and never crosse that principle; though he totally disown them. There are also several grosse inadvertencies, besides these that are common with his fellowes in this way of arguing, which are peculiar to the Author of that Pasquil. Such as, his cutting the sinews and overturning the fundation of his arguing, in granting all to be true which Nonconformists charge prelatists with, id est, that they are Schismaticks &c. So in the second position. Yet holding, that this position viz. That ordinances are not polluted by their Scandalls, will inferr a conclusion of hearing them hic & nunc; Wheras this very ground of Schisme is that upon which he mainly pleads for disowning Presbyterian Ministers, his confounding in the matter of Aerius his supposed censure by the ancient Church our acknowledgment of the factum and of the Ius. His denying in answer to the objection anent the Covenant, that any act under a General head of duty, considered Physically or materially, may become hic & nunc, and in its present circumstances sinful exaccidente, yet walking all along upon this very ground, in condemning the preaching of Presbyterian Ministers and peoples hearing them: In calling (in answer to another objection) the Prelatick party the Church of Scotland as now constitute; Yet in the premised concession acknowledging them Schismaticks from this Church: Thus stealing back a principle to make shift of answer, which he hath already given away to his adversary in this debate. In granting to the Presbyterians that this frame of prelacy is worse then the former, and gives more to the Magistrate then Gods Word allowes, yet calling this establishment of it, the prerogatives of Authority & the commands of submission thereunto lawful commands. These & many such like absurdities are obvious to any that have read that chattered Pasquil: which might be made further convincingly appear if wee could dilate upon it and present the pasquil it self. But this litle toutch may abundantly discover its vanity and insufficiency in the present dispute, and that the cause, which our Prelats puppets are pleading for, is so desperat and tottering that it needs many concessions of its adversaryes and beg'd sup. positions to under-prop it withal, & yet sorotten is this fabrick and bowing wall, that it must notwithstanding fall to the ground.
Reader, I shall detain thee no longer from the persual of these sheets, save only to tell thee that as the strengthning of the hearts of the Lords remnant in following their duty and amidst their present sufferings, is the intendment of this appearance, so there is no patrociny intended, nor can be drawen by the most remote consequence from what is here pleaded upon the point of separation, unto these dreadfullly presaging anti-… nisterial principles and practices, tha… several in this land are sadly precipitating themselves into; which wee hop… will be aboundantly clear to the understanding peruser of what I have offered upon that head, and the state of the question as It is exhibited: how clear and full our confessions and principles are in asserting the due right of Magistracy, as well as of a true Gospel Ministry, and how harmoniously wee join to the confessions of all the Reformed Churches herein, is sufficiently notour to the unbyassed and judicious; and consequently, that no precipitations or strayings from the scripture path upon these heads, can be charged upon our cause and principles. Great and manifold have been the assaults of Satan upon this poor Church, and reproaches of that grand accuser of the brethren upon our Reformation and the faithful promoters thereof. And the plowers have long plowed upon her back, and enemyes of all sorts have many time afflicted her from her youth. O that our provoked jealous God would shew us, wherefore he contends, and give both Ministers and People a heart-affecting sight and sense of the true grounds of this controversy, and shew unto us our transgressions, wherein wee have exceeded and provoked him thus to lengthen out our desolation; that he would excite Ministers to make full proof of their ministry, and open up to them an effectual door and engadge his people to a due and suitable subjection to their Ministry that this word might run swiftly and this sword of the Lord eut the cords of the wicked, that wee were all excited to encompase his throne with strong crying and tears in order to the returning of the Ecclipsed departing glory that this great Shepherd▪ Israel, would shew himself the only wise of God and the only Potentate in dissappointing and crushing the crafty, cruel stratagems and designes of Satan (now acting both the roaring lyon and subtile old Serpent) and of his grand Lieutenant Antichrist and his Artizans. That this our Isle, upon which, the …ay-spring from on high did early shin… and which did early wait for his Law… who is Zions great Lawgiver, was rec… vered from Popish darknesse, and fro… decayes after the times of Reformation, may have a restoring healing visit and being made a maried land may be upon this ground a land of desires. That Christs Tabernacle, now fallen down, may be rear'd up according to the pattern, and planted among us untill his glotious appearance to accomplish his Churches warfare and to make up his jewells. This is the Expectation of the prisoners of hope, and in this expectation let us turn in to the strong hold, even to his name which is a strong tower and go on in his strentgh keeping his good way which hath alwayes been strenth unto the upright. Let us contend for the faith once delivered to the saints and be stedfast, unmoveable, alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord, since he comes quickly, who is our head and judge and his reward is with him so that neither our labour nor suffering shall be in vain in the Lord.