Confession of His Faith, Letter 1
Mr Gatakers first Letters, IN ANSWER To a QUESTION about Administring SACRAMENTS in a private place, wherein his Advice was desired by the Ministers of our Association: Wherein he declareth his Thoughts of two of my Writings, which some quarrell with.
Worthy Sir,
THe receit of your kinde and brotherly Letter, together with those two pious, seasonable and usefull Pieces, which you were pleased to bestow on me, as upon the delivery with much gladsomnes of spirit, I could not but entertain, so with no lesse thankfulnesse of heart, by these I desire to acknowledge. As for the long delay of this mine acknowledgement, my humble request to your self, and those other your Reverend Associated Brethren is, that it may not be mis-interpreted, as either proceeding from a wilfull neglect, or savouring of a dis-respect either of them or your self; which indeed, I confesse, might not unjustly be deemed, unlesse the reason of it were rightly conceived; but when the occasion thereof shall be truly related, I hope, it will remove all suspition and surmise of failing or faultinesse on my part in either kinde; the packet wherein your Letter, with those precious Pieces, was included, came not to my hand (by whose default, I know not) untill the eighth of this instant; on which day it was by a messenger from London delivered to my servant at the door, and by him brought in to me sitting at dinner with some strangers; which having presently broke up, and having cast mine eye on your name at the foot of your Letter, I could not forbear to reade over, and with much cheerfulnesse so did, before I rose from the board, and so laid aside, resolving by Gods permission and assista…ce, to return Answer thereunto, so soon as I could have opportunity for some cursory Survey at least of either of your Pieces; which also after a little time taken for the speedy dispatch out of the way, of a Work left with me for allowance, being suddenly to passe to the Presse, I set presently upon; and having with as much expedition as I could runne over either, being so drawn on with that delight and content which I took in the subject matter of either, that I could not afford unto my self any respite, save as urgent occasions unavoidable enforced necessary interruptions, untill I had accomplished my resolved intendment; when I began now to set pen to paper for the drawing up of an Answer, I was exceedingly damped, taking notice of the date of your Letter, which I had not formerly observed, being May 9. full two moneths ancienter then the arrival of it with me: while with my self I considered, not only, that what I should return in some regard might come altogether unseasonably, but that this long delay might be subject to mis-interpretation, as arguing a disregard and slighting of my Reverend Brethren of better esteem and repute then my self, not vouchsafing them so much as a line or two in so many weeks intervening, and a backwardnesse to enter into any good correspondence with them; a disposition which from my heart I have ever abhorred: howsoever conscious to my self of mine own weaknesses, I have never been over-forward to intrude my self into the affairs of Brethren abroad; nor have had much occasion of entercourse in this kinde, living mostly in an obscure corner, save with some few of my Brethren, with whom by occasion of alliance, or more inward conversing together formerly, I had contracted and continued familiarity and acquaintance. And thus much having premised to clear my self from any aspersion or suspition, that this long delay might have occasioned, of ought in this kinde, I shall proceed unto that, which I resolved to return.
That Work of yours (to begin with it) which your self seem to have so light an esteem of, is in my account a very precious Piece, and of singular good use: For that therein that great and weighty businesse, wherein so many millions of souls are so nearly and deeply concerned, is in my poor apprehension (and I speak it sincerely, and without flattery) more fully and exactly discussed and determined, then in any that I have hitherto lighted on, that have dealt in that Subject. And indeed herein have you carried your self with exceeding great wisdom and warinesse, as by labouring to discover and distinguish the grounds and nature of this malady according to the grounds from whence it proceedeth, that the remedies may be respectively applied with the better hope of desired successe; so in cutting out an even way and course of cure, between the mistakes of many godly Teachers concerning the true Nature of Faith on the one hand, whereby many weak souls have been formerly further mashed and entangled, that were more then enough puzzeld and perplexed before; and those absurd and impious conceits maintained by men of corrupt mindes or affections, or both, who like unskilfull or unfaithfull quacksalvers, by instilling of loose and lewd principles into the mindes of those that are seduced and deluded by them, as by palliating plaisters, and stupifying medicines, give their patients ease of their pains and aches for the present, but withall cast them into more dangerous and desperate diseases. And truly, Sir, for mine own part I have ever been of the minde that these scrupulosities in weak and tender hearted Christians, are as some weeds, which though weeds, and of no good use, yet argue a good soil, which a skilfull Husbandman therefore will not refuse to deal with, or to deal for, being on good terms tendred in sale, as one unskilfull it may be would: And yet as those weeds, because but weeds, would be rid out of the way, for that they cumber the ground, and hinder the growth of things more usefull; so these needlesse scrupulosities, though oft signs of a gracious soul, of an heart desirous to approve it self unto God, carefull to please him, and fearfull to offend him, yet because they much distract and disturb the minde, disable the soul unto that chearfull service that God requireth of his, and hinder the growth of grace, which would thrive with many much better if they were away; my course therefore hath been with such as I have found much perplexed and molested in this kinde, to perswade them, upon the groundlesnesse either of the affection it self, or the inference which through weakness of judgement against themselves they thence usually raise, to endeavour what they may, to lay them aside, and remove them; withall advising them to look principally unto duty, and leave the comfort of Assurance as matter of reward unto God, when he shall please to afford it; yet not neglecting the means whereby it may be attained, of which I conceive this to be a principal one, to wit, a sedulous application of themselves unto a constant performance and conscionable imployment of themselves in those offices, which their peculiar stations and relations as well as those which the general calling of a Christian requires of them. But, Sir, what do I thus casting a dish of water into that River, unto which I may justly, and shall not fail to direct others, and whence I deem it no disparagement to draw my self? The Lord vouchsafe to blesse your labours herein, an… your self abundantly for them, as I doubt not but that many do, and will blesse him for your self and them, even then when you shall have no need of their blessings, having fully received the fruit of your labours, and being now in perfect blisse. This onelyonly to shew that I have seriously perused it, and how I esteem of it.
For the other Piece, concerning Association; which I have likewise runne over: albeit I be my self now miles emeritus, by reason of age and infirmities otherwise, utterly disabled unto my wonted employment, and do therefore in effect retain only a bare Title, to keep out some unworthy one, that were like otherwise to be obtruded, but for which I had long since wholly resigned as well the Title as the burden together with the benefit, which another enjoyeth so far as it can be attained, yea further at present then is by me received, neither hath i… been my happinesse since that some face of a Discipline hath been setled in these parts, to be able to convene with my Reverend Brethren of the Classis, wherein I reside, at their ordinary meeting places, or to enjoy their Society, save, when they have been forced for want of a full company to come hither down to me, that I may serve as a cifer to make up a compleat number; yet doth it exceedingly rejoyce me at the heart, to hear of any such Combination and Agreement of the Lords faithfull servants in any part of the Land, endeavouring as with one shoulder by mutual consent to carry on the Lords work, and to settle and support the distracted and tottering estate of his Churches among us, by swarms of misleaders, and shoals of their followers, miserably torn in pieces, and almost utterly laid waste in most places: And it reviveth my spirits not a little in this present feeble and fainting condition, by ministring some matter of hope to me, notwithstanding so many plots and projects on foot to undermine and subvert his Ministry among us, that the Lord is not yet deserting of his Congregations in the middest of us, when he raiseth up the hearts of so many his faithfull and able servants, to put their hands joyntly to a work of this nature. Nor shall mine instant prayers unto him (the only service that I can do you) be wanting in your behalf, that he will be pleased, to strengthen your hands in this his work, and go along with you in the prosecution thereof, that by the gracious conduct of his powerfull Spirit, taking good effect, and finding a prosperous issue, others may be encouraged to undertake the like work, to the further restauration and better constitution of his Churches among us, the preservation of his people from those damnable Doctrines, destructive of the very power of piety that are scattered abroad in all places with us, and the strengthning of his flocks by mutual assistances against such seducers and false teachers, as would by slight or might be either creeping in among them, or breaking in upon them. There will, I doubt not, many difficulties encounter you in the carrying on of so weighty a work (for what work of worth or weighty concernment is without much difficulty accomplished?) as well from cunning and secret underminers, as by open and violent opposers. But the Lord All-sufficient is able to furnish you, as with spiritual wisdom to discover and clude the wiles of the one, so with Christian courage to wrestle with, and out▪ wrestle the other, so as that neither of them may be able to prevail against you, no more then those adversaries of Gods people did in Nehemiahs dayes, either by their fox-like wiles, or by their Lion-like threats and forcible attempts against those despised and derided ones, that then laboured in the restauration of Gods Church, and Constitution of his Service, amids those manifold obstructions, disturbances and disadvantages which in pursuance thereof they met with, as well at home as from abroad; yea whatsoever the issue of the business shall be (for the issue of no mans attempt is in his own hand) your pious endeavour (and that is all God requires of us) shall not go unregarded or unrewarded with God. But I forget whom I write to; (onelyonly I consider, that the acclamations even of idle spectators are wont somewhat to hearten those that are wrestling or running in a race) and whom you intimate to have written unto, Bretheren much better able, each of them severally (jointly how much more abundantly?) to afford you either advice or encouragement then my self; and who▪ in likelihood, your Letters arriving far sooner with them then with me, have long before this given satisfaction to you in the office therein required of them.
To draw towards an end; as concerning the particular Case propounded about the Administration of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper in private upon some special occasions: The Directory indeed doth restrain the Administration of the Sacraments unto the place of publick meeting. And I doubt not, but that the Question concerning the private Administration of either was seriously considered of, and sedulously debated in the Committee whereunto that part of the Directory was then designed, and again upon their report, if any doubt were moved about it, in the publick Assembly; where if any were, the Scribes who took the several debates there in writing, are best able to enform: For my part I am not certain whether it were questioned at all in the Assembly; nor do I remember that that part of the Directory fell to the lot of that Committee, whereof I was a Member: But for mine own opinion herein, I concur in judgement with that learned man Sam. Maresius in Decisionibus Theologicis regimen, ordinem, praxin & eutaxian spectantibus, Qu. 2. & 3. to wit, that howsoever loci & temporis circumstantiae non sunt de essentiâ Sacramenti, yet it is a thing most convenient, considering the nature and use of the Sacraments, ut in publicis conventibus administrentur, which by him appears to have been the judgement of Calvin, and is affirmed to be the constant practice of most of the Reformed Churches: And the contrary practice, as it may seem to favour, and be a means to nourish some Popish conceits concerning either Sacrament, the reliques whereof remain still with many among us: so being in some cases admitted, it may bring in many inconveniences, one requiring the like priviledge as well as another, and much murmurings and heartburnings, that it is not alike condescended to, though the cases be not alike. Yea it is apparent already, that where way hath been given thereunto, others expecting and exacting the same liberty, most Baptisms in many places are become▪ private: as also private Communions are grown very common, desired most by ignorant or Popishly affected people. For the Objection from the children of Believers right to Baptism; I suppose the Answer not difficult: True, where it may fitly, and with due conveniency be had: nor conceive I, under submission to better judgement, that the examples of the Eunuch baptized by Philip, or the Jayler by Paul, are of much force here, to infer the like usage and practice in setled and embodied Congregations. And for the other Sacrament▪ which is a more special badge and profession of our mutual communion with that body politick whereof we are members, it seems the rather to require a publick Convention: neither seems there to appear in Scripture any the least track or intimation of any administration of this Sacrament, save at times and in places of publick Convention.
Thus, Sir, I have been bold, according to your request, to acquaint you with my thoughts herein, without prejudic… to any, that may herein dissent from me, and with submission of mine opinion to further information from others that may be either quicker sighted, or better experienced in businesses of this nature, being a matter not so much of necessity as of conveniency and expediency, wherein the scale in some cases may turn either way.
The Lord, Sir, vouchsafe to give a blessing unto the present business: and to support and strengthen you both in body and minde, that you may be yet further usefull unto his people, as by your constant courses and indefatigable endeavours hitherto you have been. That which is and shall be the hearty prayer of him; who earnestly craves of you the like Christian office at the Throne of grace in his behalf, that he may be sustained and enabled to stand upright in these faltring and deficient dayes, that the close of his frail and fainty condition, which he apprehendeth near at hand, may be accompanied with inward comfort and peace; and whose desire is hereby to acknowledge himself
Your unworthy Fellow-servant, and deservedly high esteemer of your self and your fruitfull Labours Thomas Gataker. Rederith July 20. 1653.
POSTSCRIPT.
SIR,
ALbeit I cannot present you with ought of mine equivalent, or of like use to either of yours, yet I shall intreat you to accept of such a sorry Piece, as some kinde of necessity hath extorted from me, which with these you shall receive: The defect of my memory much failing me, as you may easily descry by my frequent mistakings, which I hope you will excuse.