A Just Defense of Hearing the Sermons, Chapter 10 · Section 16
Sect. 16. Some passages in the writings of Mr. John Goodwin opposite to th… Book Intituled, Prelatical Preachers none of Christs Teachers.
For a conclusion, whereas the Book mentioned in my Epistle to the Reader Intituled [P…elatical Preachers none of Christs Teacher] shewed to me as that, which did make men Separatists, and the book was written not in a Logick form, and therefore not answered by me, yet the Authour being supposed the same with him who Printed in the year 1653. two books against some that about baptism left his Communion, I have here added some passages with animadversions, which shew how his separation in this latter book crosseth his sayings in the former.
In his 40. Quaeries, Qu. 10. I read thus, When men may separate that which is precious from that which is vile, and enjoy it thus separated and apart without suffering any inconvenience by that which is vile, is it a point of wisdome in them to deprive themselves of the enjoyment of what is precious, because there is somewhat, which they suppose to be vile near to it? Why then doth lie dissuade from hearing the present Ministers; who preach precious Doctrine, because of some things conceived vile in them, yet may be separated from that which is precious?
Qu. 14. The experience of many years in the reformed Churches abroad, and of some years amongst our selves at home, hath abundantly taught and informed us, that the said question hath yielded little other fruit unto those that have set their hearts to it, yea and to others also, but Contention, Strife, Emulations, evil Surmizings, Distractions, Confusions, Alienations of mind, and Affections, amongst Christian Brethren, evill Speakings, Vilifyings, Revilings, needless and wastfull Expence of time, loss of many precious opportunities for matters of greatest consequence, unprofitable disturbings and turmoylings of weak Consciences, shatterings, scatterings, rendings, and tearings such of Churches and Christian Societies, who, till this root of bitterness sprang up amongst them, walked in love, and with the light of Gods countenance shining on them, holding the Vnity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace, edifying one another in their most holy faith, &c. These things were not the fruit of that question, but of that separation, which was made by occasion of it, and are as true of the separation this Authour maintained in his later book.
Qu. 23. Whether ought not the law of edification [1 Cor. 14.26.] to over-rule all Laws and Precept concerning Spiritual and Church Administrations, as the law of Salus populi ought to umpire and over-rule all politique laws and constitutions, in their respective executions? If so, the supposed laws of outward calling of Ministers should not be urged, so as to hinder people from hearing Ministers, because of some defect supposed therein, when they may be heard to edification of the hearers.
In his Water-dipping, Consideration 17. Is it not then presumption in the highest, and an assuming of an Antichristian power, to impose Laws upon Christian societies, which the Lord Christ never imposed; yea, and to cesure and scandalize them with the odious and reproachful terms of Antichristian, and unclean, onelyonly for the transgression of their own Laws? What doth he less, who forbids to hear in his latter Book the present Ministers.
Consideration 22. Whereas Antichrist himself is not more Antichristian, then in claiming and exercising such a dominion over the faiths of his Proselytes and Disciples; by vertue whereof he commandeth them to depend onelyonly upon Ministes and Teachers of his own faith and wicked perswasion in matters of Religion, severely prohibiting unto them the hearing of Protestant Preachers; we understand that the same high imposing spirit domineers more generally in the Churches and Congregations, which solemnly conjure all their Proselytes and Converts not to hear Jesus Christ himself speaking by any other mouth then theirs; thus bearing them in hand, as if a voice from heaven, like unto that which was heard by the people at Christs Baptism, concerning him, had come to them also in reference to themselves and their Teachers, in this or the like tenor of words, We are the onelyonly true Churches and Ministers of Christ: Hear us. Yea, there was of late a very great Schism made in one of these Churches, and the greater part aposynagog…ized by the lesser, because of the high misdemeanour of some of the Members, in hearing the words of eternal life from the mouths of such Ministers, who follow not them in their way. Such principles and practises as these, we judge to be most notoriously and emphatically Antichristian, and such wherein (as was said in a like case) the very horns and hoofs of the beast may be discerned. Yea, we cannot but judge them to be of most pernicious consequence to the precious souls of men, as depriving them of the best means and opportunities which God most graciously affordeth… unto them for their recovery out of all such snares, wherein at any time their foot may be taken, Ex ore tuo.— From these words might the Authour of that Book [Prelatical Preachers none of Christs Teachers] have learned not to condemn the hearing of the present Ministers, as if none were to be heard but of his own way.
FINIS.
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