The Unreasonableness of Separation, Part 1 · Section 7
Sect. 7. But about this time, the dissenting party much increasing, and most of the old and peaceable Non-conformists being dead, or unfit for business; the management of their affairs fell into the hands of younger and fiercer Men. Who thought their Predecessors too cold in these matters; insomuch, that honest Iohn Fox complained of the Factious and Turbulent Spirit which had then possessed that Party, although himself a Moderate Non-conformist; and he saith,See his Letter in Fullers Church-History, l. 9. p. …06. They despised him, because he could not Rail against Bishops, and Archbishops as they did; but if he could be as mad as they, they would be kinder to him. And therefore he soberly adviseth the Governors of the Church to look well after this sort of Men; for, saith he, if they prevail, it is not to be imagin'd, what Mischief and Disturbance they will bring; whose Hypocrisie is more subtle and pernicious then that of the old Monks; for, under a Pretence of Greater Purity, they will never give over, till they have brought Men under a Iewish Slavery. These New Men, full of bitter zeal, despised the old trifling Controversie about Garments and Ceremonies, they complained, That all was out of order in the Church, and nothing but a New and Thorough Reformation would please them. For, in the Admonition presented to the Parliament, 14 Eliz. they complain for want of a Right Ministry, a right Government in the Church according to the Scriptures, without which (they say) there could be no right Religion. The Liturgy they deride, as c…lled and picked out of the Popish Dunghill, the Portuise and Mass-Book; the Government of the Church by Arch-Bishops and Bishops they call Devillish and Antichristian; and Condemn the Vocation of the Clergy, as Popish and Vnlawful; and add, That the Sacraments are mangled, and profaned, that Baptism is full of Childish and Superstitious Toys. All which, and many more expressions of a like Nature, are extant in the First and Second Admonitions. Which Bold and Groundless Assertions, being so Openly Avowed to the World, by the Leaders of the Dissenting Party, gave the true Occasion to the following practise of Separation. For when these things were not only published in the name of the Party, being the Pleas for Peace at that time, but stifly maintained with greater Heat, than Learning, It is easie to imagine, what Impressions such things would make on the common sort of People; who have still a good Inclination to find fault with their Governors, especially in the Church, and to Admire those that Oppose them. And these they Courted most, having their Opinions so suited to Vulgar capacities, that they apprehended their Interest carried on together with that of Purity of Reformation. Hence they pleaded then, as others do at this day, for the Peoples right to choose their Bishops and Pastors against the Vsurpations, as they accounted them, of Princes and Patrons; hence they railed against the Pomp and Greatness of the Clergy, which is always a Popular Theme; and so would the exposing the inequality of Mens Estates be, if Men durst undertake it, with as great hopes of impunity. Besides, it was not a Little Pleasant to the People, to think, what a share they should come to in the New Seigniory, as they called it, or Presbytery, to be erected in every Parish; and what Authority they should Exercise over their Neighbours, and over their Minister too by their double Votes. By such Arts as these, they complied with the Natural Humors of the People, and so gained a mighty Interest amongst them; as the Anabaptists in Germany and Switzerland at first did, upon the like Grounds. Which made Bullinger, Bullinger, Ep. ad Robert Winton▪ in the Appendix to Bishop Whitgifts first Book.in an Epistle to Robert Bishop of Winchester, parallel the Proceedings of this Party here, with that of the Anabaptists with them in those Countries; For, saith he, we had a sort of People here, to whom nothing seemed pure enough in our Reformation, from whence they brake out into Separation, and had their Conventicles among us, upon which followed Sects and Schisms, which made great entertainment to our Common Enemies, the Papists. Just thus it happened here, these hot Reformers designed no Separation at present; which they knew would unavoidably bring confusion along with it; for, that was laying the Reins on the Peoples ne…ks, and they would run whither they pleased, without any possibility of being well managed by them; but since these Men would Refine upon the present Constitution of our Church, there soon arose another sort of Men, who thought it as fit to Refine upon them. They acknowledged they had good Principles among them, but they did not practise according to them: If our Church were so bad as they said, that there was neither right Ministery, nor right Government, nor right Sacraments, nor right Discipline; What follows, say they, from hence, but that we ought to separate from the Communion of so corrupt a Church, and joyn together to make up new Churches for the pure administration of all Gospel Ordinances? The Leaders of the Non-conformists finding this Party growing up under them, were quickly apprehensive of the danger of them; because the Consequence seemed so Natural from their own Principles; and the People were so ready to believe, that nothing but Worldly considerations of Interest and Safety kept them from practising according to them. Which was a mighty prejudice against them in the Minds of the Separatists, as appears by Robinsons Preface to his Book of Communion.