The Unreasonableness of Separation, Part 1 · Section 13
Sect. 13. And now, new Congregations began to be set up in Holland, upon these Principles; but they again fell into Divisions as great as the former. Simpson renouncing his Ordination, was admitted a private member of the Church at Rotterdam; but he grew soon unsatisfied with the Orders of that Church, and thought too great a Restraint was laid upon the private Members, as to the exercise of Prophecying; and so he, and those who joyned with him, complaining of the Mischief of Impositions, were ready for a Separation, if that restraint were not speedily removed. Mr. Bridge yields to the thing, but not as to the time, viz. On the Lords Day after Sermon; this gives no satisfaction, for they must have their will in every thing, or else they will never cease complaining of the Mischief of Impositions. And so Mr. Simpson, Answer to the Antapologia p. 245.and his Party, set up a New Church of their own: Which I. Goodwin doth not deny; for Mr. Simpson, saith he, upon dislike of some persons and things in that Church, whereof Mr. Bridge was Pastor, might seek and make a departure from it. But were these Churches quiet, after this Separation made? Disswasive from the Errors of the Times, p. 76▪So far from it, that the contentions and slanders were no less grievous, saith Baylie, than those of Amsterdam, betwixt Ainsworth and Johnsons followers▪ But did not Mr. Bridges Church continue in great quietness? No, but in stead of that, they were so full of Bitterness, Anatomy of Independ. p. 6.Reproaches, and hard Censures, that Mr. Br…dge often declared, If he had known at first, what he met with afterwards, he would never have come amongst them, nor being amongst them, have given them such scope and liberty, as he had. It seems at last, he came to apprehend the necessity of Impositions, and the mischief of a Separating dividing humor. But the People having the Power in their hands, were resolved to shew, that they held it not in vain; for Mr. Ward, had it seems given Offence to some of the Congregation, by Preaching the same Sermons there, which he had Preached before at Norwich; this, and some other frivolous things, were thought Intolerable Impositions; and therefore against the Will of Mr. Bridge, they Depose Mr. Ward from his Ministery. This being a fresh discovery of the great inconveniency of Popular Church Government, gave a mighty alarm to the Brethren: which occasion'd a Meeting of the Messengers from other Churches (as they called them) for closing up of this wound; but they durst not search deep into it, but only skinn'd it over, to prevent the great reproach and scandal of it. From these things, the Presbyterians inferred the necessity of Civil Authorities interposing;Anatomy of Independ. p. 49. and of not leaving all to Conscience. For, say they, Conscience hath been long urging the taking away that Scandal occasion'd at Rotterdam by that Schism, where divers Members left the one Church, and joyned to the other, so disorderly, wherein even the Rulers of one Church had a deep Charge; yet as that could not then be prevented, so there had been many Meetings, Sermons, and all means used to press the Conscience of taking it off, by a Re-union of the Churches, and yet the way to do it could never be found, till the Magistrates Authority and Command found it. These things I have more fully deduced; Not, as though bare Dissentions in a Church were an Argument of it self against it; but, to shew (1.) That Popular Church Government naturally leads to Divisions, and leaves them without Remedy; and (2.) That humerous and factious People will always complain of the Mischief of Impositions, though the things be never so just and reasonable; and (1.) That this Principle of Liberty of Conscience, will unavoidably lead Men into Confusion: For when Men once break the Rules of Order and Government in a Church, they run down the Hill, and tumble down all before them. If Men complain of the Mischief of our Impositions, the Members of their own Churches, may on the same grounds, complain of theirs; and as the Presbyterians cannot Answer the Independents, as to the Pretence of Conscience; so it is impossible for either, or both of them, to Answer the Anabaptists, who have as just a Plea for Separation from them, as they can have from the Church of England.