Account for Subscribing, Section 1
SECT. I.
Motives and Grounds for the Reasonableness and Expediency of giving Account herein.
1. MOses and the Prophets in the sacred Historical Scriptures (written for our instruction and admonition, on whom the ends of the world are come, Rom. 15. 4. 1 Cor. 10. 11.) declaring the true state and Occurrences of Old Testament Times, do give a just and faithful Account of their own faithful and warrantable Deportment, and likewise of the faithful Deportment of others, the good Servants of God in their generations occasionally made mention of by them, viz. of Noah, Abraham, David, Asa, Iehoshaphat, &c. This is so plainly written throughout their Books, that a man may run and read the same: To allude to Habak. 2. 2. And surely they saw a reasonableness and expediency in so doing; they being holy men of God, and writing as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, 2 Pet. 1. 20, 21.
2. The Apostles and Evangelists, who wrote the Historial Scriptures respecting the state of New Testament Times, (which being compared with Old Testament Times, are stiled times of Reformation, Heb. 9. 10.) they also do give a clear and perfect Account, not only of Evangelical Doctrine (the truth which is after godliness, Tit. 1. 1.) but also of particular occasional Acts, wherein they were exemplary for our Imitation, and following in the same, Iohn 20. 31. Luk. 1. 1, 2, 3, 4. Act. 1. 1. As may most fully appear in a short view of the two remarkable Instances, beyond all exception; Viz.
1. Instance, Touching our most blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, our Spiritual King and Prophet, his worthy acting and walking excepted against:
1. By Pharisees, for his eating with Publicans and sinners, Mat. 9. 11, 12, 13.
2. By the Disciples of Iohn Baptist, about frequent fasting, Chap. 9. 14. 15, 16, 17.
3. By the multitudes, concerning Iohn Baptists and his own Ministry, Chap. 11. 7, &c.
4. By the Pharisees, about the Traditions of the Elders, Chap. 15. 1, to 15.
5. By his own Disciples, ignorant of the meaning of Parables, Chap. 15. 15, to 21.
6. By the Herodians and Pharisees, about tribute to Caesar, Chap. 22. 15, to 22. In all these it is requisite that Wisdom should be justified of her children: See Mat. 11. 19.
2. Instance, Touching Apostolical Practises and Actings in the first and purest Primitive Times, who were vindicated therein, albeit they were contradicted:
1. By mockers at the fulness of the Holy Ghost given, Acts 2. 13, 14, &c.
2. By people wondering at the cure of an impotent man, Chap. 3. 11, 12.
3. By Rulers, Elders and Scribes, touching the same thing, Chap. 4. 5, 8.
4. By them of the Circumcision about the Gentiles Conversion, Chap. 11. 2, 3, 4.
5. By certain men from Iudea, about Observation of Circumcision, Acts 15. 1, &c.
6. By the Athenians, concerning the Resurrection, Chap. 17. 16, 17, to the end.
7. See also more specially and fully the perfect Account of the Apostle Paul himself, touching the main of his actings, Acts 22. &c. to the end of the book.
3. There is a cloud of Witnesses, even of the Greek and Latin ancient Fathers, viz. Iustine Martyr, Athenagorus, Tertullian, &c. (It may seem vain to amuze the Reader with a Catalogue of their Names, and Titles of their Books, respecting this matter,) who gave good Account of their Christian Actings against Pagans, and Hereticks of various sorts, and otherwise also, as emergent cause and occasion called for, plentifully testified in their useful learned Writings.
4. In the several Centuries, when gross Antichristianism dominecred for the most part throughout all Europe, then God had his faithful Witnesses notwithstanding, who did substantially and couragiously withstand and testifie against the same, Apocal. 11. 3. This is most singularly evidenced by the industrious Collection of the Magdeburg Centurists, by Mr Iohn Fox in his book of Martyrs, by the noble French Lord Philip Morney, in his History of the Mystery of Iniquity, its progress and opposition; by Doctor Usher, in his Latin Treatise of the State and Succession of Christian Churches, &c.
5. When our English Nation came out of Spiritual Babylon, the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth, in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, here was Iohn Iewel returned from Exile, a most learned and renowned Confessor, who wrote an Apology for the Church of England for her forsaking Rome in the Point of Doctrine. Here was also learned and conscientious Mr Thomas Cartwright, Udall, and divers others, who excellently declared and demonstrated against Hierarchy, and Romish Superstitious Ceremonies, in their Judicious Treatises against the same.
6. In the beginning of K. Iames his Reign in England (some Overtures being for the reforming of Discipline and divine Service) there was arguing against Corruptions in Discipline and Worship at the Hampton. Court-Conference by profound Dr Reinolds, Mr Chadderton, and Mr Knewstubs: And besides that, many godly learned and zealous Ministers of Lincoln Diocess, by themselves, of Devonshire and Cornwall, of London, and sundry other Counties, each by themselves, exhibited their solid Arguments against Episcopacy and Superstitious Conformity, yea much was effectually pleaded in this kind by Mr Bradshaw, Mr Sherwood, and other particular men.
7. After this Dr Morton becoming Prelate of Chester (looked on for great dexterity in Popish Controversies) he resolved to try his strength against the Non-Conformists in Cheshire and Lancashire, and to this purpose required some of them (which he singled out) to propound their Arguments against the Cross in Baptism, Surplace, and Kneeling at the Communion; which done by them, and yet they in no wise convinced: The said Non-Conformists (amongst whom the now Accountant was one) were commanded to give him their Arguments in writing, which they also did; yet he finding his endeavor fruitless in Conferences openly and privately, by how much they justified their Reasons, he then (as the event manifested) wrote a Book in defence of those three nocent Ceremonies: But howbeit the said Non-Conformists could not with liberty and safety reply unto his Books, (which otherwise they were ready unto,) yet God raised up pious and acute Dr Ames (who then was an Exile in the United Netherlands) to Reply unto it; yea and whereas Mr Burges (a Doctor in Physick, and sometimes himself a Non-Conformist, however he declined therefrom, through the ensuaring Iniquity of the Times, and became a conforming Minister) Rejoyned unto the Reply; yet the said Dr Ames commenced a fresh Suit against his Rejoynder for these Ceremonies, which as it is well known was an exceptible Service in those times to the suffering people of God, although it were barked against by the Prelatical Party.
8. Of late in K. Charls his Reign, swollen into extream Tyranny, every one almost of any observation, may have taken knowledg of manifold notable and just Declarations and Remonstrances of Parliament, tending to undeceive the people; yea and manifold effectual Petitions and humble Advertisements to the Parliament from the Oppressed People throughout the Land, witnessing against Oppressions by arbitrary Power in the Civil and Ecclesiastical State, and submisly requesting and pleading for Reformation.
IX. In this present juncture of the perplexed scruples of many, by occasion of the required Subscribing the Engagement, There are some eminent men of well guided counsels, and composed temper of their publique spirits, who have given forth their judicious Considerations, endevoring meekly and learnedly to give satisfaction to such as are studious to understand rightly in so grand a Case of Conscience as it is pretended to be.
X. And hence it is that the Premisses are effectual Motives (some Commissioners having been designed by the Supreme Power to take Subscription to the Engagement according to the Act of Parliament) unto the Accountant, having declared his submission to Authority, to declare also that he acteth according to right Reason satisfactory unto himself, and for the satisfying of others, who possibly may wonder and marvel, for want of information, at such his compliance.