Animadversions Upon the New England Anabaptists, Title page – Dedication
Ne Sutor ultra Crepidam.
OR BRIEF ANIMADVERSIONS Upon the NEW-ENGLAND Anabaptiſts LATE FALLACIOUS NARRATIVE; Wherein the Notorious Miſtakes and Falſhoods by them Publiſhed, are Detected.
By … Willard Teacher of a Church in Boſton in New-England.
Prov. 18. 17. He that is …rſt in his own cauſe ſeemeth juſt; but his neighbour cometh and ſearcheth him.
Rom. 16. 17.
Now I beſeech you Brethren, mark them which cauſe diviſions and offences contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them
18. For they that are ſuch, ſerve not our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but their own belly, and by good words, and fair ſpeeches deceive the hearts of the ſimple.
BOSTON IN NEW-ENGLAND, Printed by S. Green, upon Aſſignment of S. Sewall. And are to be Sold by Sam. Philips, at the Weſt end of the Exchange: 1681.
To the READER.
THe Anabaptiſts in New-England, have in their Narrative lately publiſhed, endeavoured to make Candida de nigris & de candentib…s atra, themſelves the Innocent perſons, and the Lords ſervants here, no better than Perſecutors. In which reſpect, it hath been judged neceſſary, that ſome one ſhould Animadvert upon what they have done, that ſo ſuch perſons as have been impoſed upon by their untrue Relations, may be diſabuſed. Many are of the mind, that it is not worth the while, to take notice of what is emitted, by men ſo obſcure and inconſiderable. And I confeſs I have thought ſo my ſelf, ſo far as I am perſonally concerned in any of their reflections; and therefore ſhall not loſe precious time in a needleſs defence. Ita concurrimus utrinque; illiextremo furore, ego ſummo contemptu; & vincit mea audacia in Chriſto. It ſeems to me, that the Reverend Author of the following Animadverſions, hath ſhewed much humility, in condeſcending to take perſons in hand, between whom, and himſelf there is ſuch an Impar congreſſus, and let it be, that for this once, He hath contradicted that proverbial ſaying Aquila non capit Muſ…s. Had he not been ſenſible, that by good words, and fair ſpeeches the hearts of the ſimple are deceived, this pains would have been ſpared. I verily believe, that the Anabaptiſts by their fallacious Narrative, have grievouſly offended God; inaſmuch as the things by them miſrepreſented, were not done a far off (for then miſtakes about them would have been excuſable) but at home, where right Information was eaſie to have been obtained; had they been willing to have known, and that others ſhould have known the truth. And by this means, have they done ill for themſelves, forcing others to diſcover the enormities of ſome, whoſe nakedn…ſs and ſhame ſhould not have been divulged to the World, and to poſterity forever; but ſlept in a grave of ſilence: had not their own Narrative brought them forth. They have alſo by Letters, miſrepreſented worthy and honourable perſons as well as things, and their reports have been received elſewhere, with too much readineſs and credulity, as I perceive by certain Complainants, whoſay they underſtand that the preſent Honourable Governour of this Colony, had threatned th… poor people, their Chriſtian friends (as they ſtile them) with death: which rereport of theirs, is like too many particulars in their vindication, an utter miſtake; ne qui… gravius dicam. The Governour (whoſe integrity, wiſdome, and moderation is well known) hath ſometimes moved, that an old ſevere Law made againſt thoſe that ſhould manifeſt any publick contempt of that ordinance of Infant Baptiſme, might be lenifyed. So far is the ſcandalous report which they have raiſed upon the Governour (and cauſed it to fly three thouſand miles) from being true.
As for the Brethren, that have thought good to prefix an Epiſtle to ſuch a Narrative, and therein to declare, that Moleſtation is given, and ſeverity is exerciſed … Antipaedobaptiſts in New-England, meerly for a ſuppoſed Error about the ſubject of Baptiſme, controverted amongſt learned and holy men, they are marvelouſly deceived in that their ſuppoſition▪ poſſibly I do not fully cape their meaning when they ſay, that for one Proteſtant Congregation to perſecute another; is more unreaſonable than all the cruelties of the Romiſh Church: Some are ready to take it for an intimation that the Churches of Chriſt in New-England, are more cruel and unreaſonable than the Romiſh Synagogue; like as the Anabaptiſts in Germany, look d upon ſuch Men as Luther, Bullinger, Calvin, Zuinglius, &c. to be worſe than the Pope and his Cardinals. But I …ope the… are far from any ſuch inſinuation, and that they deſign no other then to ſuggeſt unto us, that for men whom God hath by his holy ſpirit made one through faith in Chriſt, to be cruel to their Brethren, is moſt unreaſonable. Which A…ertion, (though true in Theſi) if applied to the Churches of the Lord Jeſus, in this Wildern…ſs; it is both an erroneous conception, and un…u…t reflection. Proteſtants ought not to perſecute any; yet, that Proteſ…ants ma… puniſh Proteſtants; and as the caſe may be circumſtanced, a Congregation of ſuch as call themſelves Proteſtants: cannot rationally be denied. Thoſe of the Congregational way (as themſelves in the preface to their confeſſion of Faith have profeſſed) f…lly concurre with the old puritan Non-conformiſts, ſuch as Cartwright, Rainold, Whitaker, Bains, Parker, &c. in whoſe writings, Congregational Principles, about Church Government, are to be ſeen Now the old Nonconformiſts (notwithſtanding their ſufferings from thoſe that took delight to ſmite their fellowſ…rvants) did believe that diſorders in whole Congregations were liable to the … Magiſtrates cenſure, as is evident from that excellent and judicious Book, called Pu…i…aniſmus Anglicanus, compoſed by Mr. Bradſhaw, and publiſhed by Dr. Ames. Affirmant ſi particul… is aliqua eccleſia erraverit, Magiſtratus civilis debet eandem in ordinem redigere, Cap. 2. Th. 6. Why then ſhould we be rendred as men of bitter, perſec…ting, rigid ſpirits and principles; when we ſay nothing b…t what our Fathers, the old Puritans, (worthy Confeſſors, and ſufferers for the Truth) conſtantly affirmed. Our famous Cotton, was another Moſes, in reſpect of meekneſs, and chriſtian forbearance, as to Diſſenters from his judgement in matters of a leſſer concernment, yet would he ſometimes make a zealous Proteſtation, that if Magi…rates in New-England ſhould tolerate Tranſgreſſors againſt the Rules of godlineſs (as well as offences contrary to what the rules of honeſty require) he believed that God would not long tolerate them. And whereas the Brethren that have ſubſcrib…d the Epiſtle, pray the Honourable Governours in New-England, to be careful of doing that which may give occaſion of trouble to Nonconformiſts elſewhere: I ſhall heartily joyn with them in the ſame requeſt; and I can aſſure them, that conſideration hath cauſed more indulgence to be exerciſed towards their Friends (as they call them) here, than ever they were worthy of. And I hope it will be ſo ſtill, ſo far as may conſiſt with Scripture Rules, and the ſafety of the intereſt of Chriſts Kingdome in this Wilderneſs. Theſe Churches are Tender vines, and I cannot perſwade my ſelf, that the Brethren when they rightly underſtand things, will think that the Magiſtrate ſhould ſee little Foxes ſpoiling them, and ſhould look on all the while, as one no way concerned. As for thoſe of the Antip…dobaptiſtical perſwaſion, which differ from us only in that particular, I would ſpeak to them as unto Brethren, whom (their Error (for ſo I believe it is) notwithſtanding) I love, and would b…ar with, and exerciſe the ſame indulgence and compaſſion towards them, as I would have others do to me, who feel my ſelf compaſſed with infirmities.
I have been a poor labourer in the Lords Vineyard in this place upwards of twenty years: and it is more than I know, if in all that time, any of thoſe that ſcruple Infant-Baptiſme, have met with moleſtation from the Magiſtrate meerly on the account of their Opinion. I would therefore intreat the Brethren, (and others of their perſwaſion; who may be of a Chriſtian and moderate ſpirit) that have ſubſcribed the Epiſtle, ſeriouſly to conſider;
1. That the place may ſometimes make a great alteration, as to indulgence to be expected. It is evident, that that Toleration is in one place, not only lawful, but a neceſſary duty, which in another place would be deſtructive; and the expectation of it irrational. That which is needful to ballaſt a great ſhip, will ſink a ſmall boat. If a conſiderable number of Antipaedobaptiſts ſhould (as our Fathers here did) obtain Liberty from the State, to tranſport themſelves and families, into a waſt American wilderneſs, that ſo they might be a peculiar People by themſelves; practiſing all, and only the inſtitutions of Chriſt: if now Pado-Baptiſts ſhould come after them, and intrude themſelves upon them, and when they caſt men out of their ſociety for moral Scandals, entertain them: Surely they would deſire ſuch perſons; either to walk orderly with them, or to return to the place from whence they came. And if they would do neither, they would think that ſuch Pado-Baptiſts were blame-worthy: let them th…n do as they would be done by; and deal by us, as they would have us to deal by them; were they in our caſe, and we in theirs.
2. Let them pleaſe to conſider, that thoſe of their perſwaſion in this place, have acted with ſo much irregularity and prophaneneſs, that ſhould men of any other perſwaſion whatſoever, have done the like, the ſame ſeverity would have been uſed towards them. I truly profeſs unto them, that if any men, either of the Presbyterian, or Congregational (or never ſo much of my) perſwaſion in matters referring to Church-Diſcipline, ſhould behave themſelves as the Anabaptiſts in Boſton, in New-England, have done, I think they would have deſerved far greater puniſhment than any thing that to this day, hath been inflicted upon them. Whether the ſentence paſſ…d on them by the Churches, proceeding in the Name of the Lord Jeſus, were only the abuſe of an holy Ordinance; or a righteous proceſs according to Scripture Rule: the following Animadverſions, will diſcover unto thoſe that are willing to weigh matters impartially, in the ballance of the Sanctuary. How vain is it for men, after they have received ſuch Excommunicates into their communion, and then perceive that the World cries ſhame on them for it; and ſome of their own perſwaſion reprove them: in ſtead of abhorring themſelves before God and the World; and purging out the old leven, to think they ſhall come off with ſaying, It was a defect! and who in this world are without their failings? and then by retaining ſuch in their communion to perſiſt in their ſcandal to this very day? To parallel the caſe of the Anabaptiſts in New-England, with that of the Nonconformiſis in England, ſeems moſt unreaſonable. Do the conforming Congregations there, caſt men out of their fellowſhip for moral, ſcandalous evils? I doubt the godly Diſcipline which their Liturgy confeſſeth was in the Primitive Church, and ſhould be in theirs, is not found amongſt them: or, if they ſhould, I believe the Noncon…ormiſts would be loth to receive any ſuch into their Communion; which the New-England Anabaptiſts have done, and have perſiſted therein, from year to year, and that after conviction. And although in their d…luding Narrative, they ſeek to palliate this offence, by a fallacious Repreſ…ntation of things; their iniquity is marked before the Lord, Nitre and much Sope will never waſh them cl…an. If then Dr. Stillingfleet, or any other ſhall go about to ſtir up Perſecution againſt conſcientious Nonconformiſts in England, and endeavour to juſtifie it by the practice of Congregational Men in New-England: we ſee not that any real advantage hath been given, (only taken) from proceedings here. The Author of the Book called The Miſchief of Impoſitions, hath given a fair, and rational anſwer to the Doctor, as to this particular. They ſay, thoſe of the Congregational way in England, plead for Anabaptiſts liberty as for their own. That they plead for liberty and indulgence to be extended towards thoſe that differ from them only in that point of Paedo-Baptiſme, I believe: when I was in England, I did ſo my ſelf; and if I were their now, I would do ſo again: but that they ſhould plead for liberty unto ſuch practices, as our Anabaptiſts have been guilty of, is not eaſie to believe; or, if they do, it is becauſe ſuch Narrators as theſe Animadverted upon, have by untrue Relations miſguided them into undue Apprehenſions. Nay, I am fully convinced, that thoſe of their own way, if of ſerious and gracious Spirits, when once they are poſſeſſed with a true Relation of things concerning them, will ſee cauſe to condemn New-England leſs, and thoſe their Friends more, than at firſt they were aware of: How did they bear the World in hand, that the Churches here did Excommunicate them for nothing but their Opinion, in ſcrupling Paedobaptiſme! But that therein they have dealt moſt untruely, and injuriouſly; the ſubſequent Anſwer to their Narrative hath made apparent from the Church-Recodrs concerning thoſe matters.
Finally, let me intreat the Brethren to believe, that ſome of us would ſhew as much indulgence unto truly tender Conſciences, as themſelves It is not ſo long ſince our own Necks bled under an intolerable yoke of Impoſition upon Conſcience; as that we ſhould forget what it is to be ſo dealt with; or exerciſe that ſeverity towards any, that we have our ſelves complained of, in others. But the Brethren will readily own that ſome men have pretended Conſcience, when pride, & perverſeneſs in the will▪ have been at the bottom: They will alſo confeſs that a meer pretence of Conſcience, is not enough to bear men out in an evil practice. All the difficulty is, in diſcerning the one of theſe from the other. Bleſſed Mr. Burrou…hs in his excel'ent Irenicum, hath laid down Rules concerning this: And if that which he ſaith, pag. 32. be ſound Doctrine (as undoubtedly it is) ſome of our Anabaptiſts, have not ſuch characters of a tendor Conſc…ence up…n them, as were to be deſired. If men will call unjuſtifiable Practic…s by the name of their Opinion: and when their evils are born witn…s againſt make out cries, that they ſuffer for their Opinion, and for their Conſcience: How is it poſſible, for thoſe to help them, who deſire to keep their own Conſciences pure, and without offence towards God, by being faithful according to that capacity the Lord hath ſet them in; and giving a due teſtimony againſt thoſe things, which they believe provoke him to jealouſie? And if Anabaptiſts in this Land, have declared their agreement with thoſe of the like perſwaſion in England, as to matters of Faith and Worſhip: I doubt not, but that there are many godly Antipaedobaptiſts there, who will never declare their agreement with thoſe here, as to their evil practices, which have been ſo offenſive to Chriſt, and unto his People in New-England.
INCREASE MATHER. Boſton New-Engl. Nov. 4. 1681.