Heresiography, Description of sect 3
Of the Independents.
1. Why called Independents.
2. Their Originall.
3. Some of them write and speak against Churches.
4. Some against Tithes.
5. Would have no set Prayers.
6. Nor use the Lords Prayer.
1. Why called Independents.
BEcause they teach that everie particular Congregation ought to be governed by its owne particular Lawes, without any depending of any in Ecclesiasticall matters, without obligation, acknowledge Classes or Synods for its government and conduct. They call themselves the Congregational government▪ as I read. These appella…ons I heard not of when I began to write the Treatise. The Author of the Antidote against Independency affirmeth, that by establishing this government in stead of suppressing Prelacy, we should erect in our Kingdome 9324. Prelates, viz. in every Parish one.
2. Their Originall.
THe first man of note that held their opinions, (as Master Edwards writeth) was one Mr. Robinson, who leaving Norwich male-content, became a rigid Brownist; but afterwards by conference with learned men, he was brought to some moderation, and writ a book retaining some of his opinions. This man dying, many of his congregation went from Leyden unto New-England, and planted at new Plymouth, whither they carryed Mr. Robinsons opinions, which spread far there, and by letters also and other meanes were conveighed into old England: and to this purpose he citeth a Letter of Mr. Cottons.
As the Brownists (saith Mr. Edwards) growing up, and out of the Anabaptists, Answer to the Apologeticall Na…ration, p. 204, 25.did refine Anabaptisme in many things, so the Independents have refined Brownisme from the grossenesse and rigidnesse of it.
Yet in separating from Gods Ordinance because of our mixt Congr…gations: in settti…g up a Church against a Church: and in … they not with the Brownists make a rent in Ch…ist… mysticall body.
3. Enemies to our Churches.
THese Independents with the Brownists, are enemies to our Churches,The …. the glory of our nation, the monuments of the piety of our fore-Fathers, builded to the honour of Almighty God, and for his service. They call them steeple-houses, as you may read Mr. Cotton in one of his Sermons upon the opening of the the seven Vialls affirmeth.
Ichosaphat (saith he) took away the high places and groves out of Judah, 2 Chr. 17. 6. So when the zeale of God lifteth up the hearts of the people, then will they not endure a consecrated place in all the world where they come; and when the seventh Viall is poured out, the earth shall be full of the knowledge of God: then all the Chappels of Ease, Churches of States, and Temples of glory, where the world hath beene deiuded, they will not leave a stone upon a stone that shall not be throwne dow…e: though now in some places you may not passe through with a burthen, nor look upon the Wall thereof. The zeale of the Lord of Hosts will blow them up, these places will be laid open to the rest of the streets, and become but common soyle, they will not then be regarded, but trempled upon, &c. I am informed that some preach this Doctrine among us.
4. Ruine Learning.
AGaine to overthrow Learning, they would overthrow the maintenance, viz. Tithes appoynted by Almighty God for the maintenance of his service: as he appoynted a certaine time for his service, so a certaine part for the maintenance of his service: viz. A tenth part which was paid before the Law, commanded in the Law, and confirmed by our Lord and Saviour.
The persecution of the Iulian Apostate is affirmed to bee greatest of all other: For whereas in other persecutions they kild the Priests, Iulian taking away the maintenance from Gods service, did occidere Presbiterium, the whole Order.
When I first heard of the name of Independency, I confesse I could not well mislike it, knowing the poverty of many Livings within the walls of London, and the dependency of the Ministers, being not able to subsist without the charities of the people.
And for example, among others the Tithe of a Parsonage of a learned Doctor, (who is accounted one of them) not to bee worth above 20. l. per annum towards all charges, and divers others to be of small value: I could not well blame them, if renouncing their Tithes, they have devised some other way to subsist.
In time of Superstition the said Living is reported to have been worth about two hundred pound per annum; by reason of a gang of silly women with childe to the Image of our Lady of Steining (in that Church) to which they did …ot with many rich offerings, being perswaded that she could give them easie labour: Other Churches had their working Saints that relieved their Parsons, as one could make barren women fruitfull, &c. And for this cause the poore livings in London were so highly rated in the Subsidy. And whereas one man had hererofore many Livings▪ which now is prohibited: As my Predecessor had three, Alhollowes the great, the Temple, and Edmonds within the line of Communication: And also our vailes for Burialls and Christings is in a manner ceast, which were a great helpe too. Should I blame the poora Ministers to devise some meanes to have a being: but whereas they gather Congregations among us who are as poore as themselves, getting our fattest sheep from us, and for other causes, I like it not.
5. Allow no set Prayers,
THey allow no set Prayers. The Jewes used set Prayers, Iohns Disciples used set Prayers, and Christ gave his Dissciples a set forme of Prayer, which all Christian Churches in the world generally use. Master Calvin all…dgeth three reasons for the maintaining of set Prayers. First, to provide for the weaknesse of some Minister. Secondly, that there might be a generall consent and agreement in all Churches. Thirdly, to crosse the liberty of some Ministers, who affect noveities: and therefore it bohoveth to have a set Catechisme, a set forme of administring the Sacrament, a set forme of publike prayers.
For taking too much liberty in their praying, I have had too much sence, being deprecated or execrated by some of them, yea even in my owne Church, in my owne Pulpit, and in my owne hearing.
6. Use not the Lords Prayer.
AGaine, some of them will not use the Lords Prayer, preferring their owne before it. If the Lords Prayer bee more perfect than theirs, why doe they not use it, but abuse the people, using their owne imperfect Prayers, and omitting our Lords perfect Prayer commanded by him to be used.
I have read that Apollinaris the Heriti…k equalled his Writings with the holy Scriptures,I marvaile why they will say Pauls Prayer. The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, the love of God the father, and not say the Lords Prayer. but preferred them not as these seem to doe, in om…tting Christs Prayer commanded to be used, and using their owne, as before.
To conclude, my Prayer to God is, that God would give them grace to use their gifts that he hath given them to edification, and not to make a rent in his Church.
Doctor Steward hath written a Book, in which is set down the opinion of some of the Reformed Churches concerning Independency.