Reasons Against Independent Government of Particular Congregations, Part 2
Reaſons Againſt A Toleration of ſome Independant CHƲRCHES IN ENGLAND.
Reaſon. I.
THough the Scriptures ſpeake much for tolerating and bearing one with another in many things, both in matters of opinion and practice, as theſe places teſtifie, Rom. 14. 1, 2, 3. 5. & 13, 14. verſes. Rom. 15. 1, 2. 7. ver. Epheſ. 4. 2, 3. ver. Phil. 3. 15, 16. ver. yet when differences come either to hereſie or ſchiſmes, and points be maintained by men, ſo as to trouble and diſturbe the Church, then the Scriptures are expreſſe againſt their Toleration and ſufferance, requiring them who have power, to hinder it, as may be ſeene, Rev. 2. 20. I have a few things againſt thee, becauſe thou ſuffereſt that Woman Jeſabel, which calleth her ſelfe a Propheteſſe to teach, and to ſeduce my Servants. 1 Tim. 1. 3. Timothie muſt charge ſome in Epheſus to teach no other Doctrine. Tit. 1. 10. Men who are unruly, and ſubvert whole Houſes, teaching things that they ought not, for filthy lucres ſake, their mouthes muſt be ſtopped. Tit. 3. 10. Titus muſt reject a man that is an Hereticke after the firſt and ſecond admonition. Rom, 16. ver. 17. Paul preſſes upon the Romans by earneſt beſeeching to Marke them which cauſe diviſions and offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them, (which is far from tolerating them.) So Paul writes to the Galathians of ſome who troubled their Church, affirming Galath. 5. 10. 12. That he who troubleth you ſhall beare his judgement whoſoever he be: And I would they were even cut off which trouble you. On which words Pareus gives the Expoſition, That to beare judgement, is to be puniſhed, that is, Pareus in Gal. 5. v. 10. 12.troublers and diſturbers of a Church and people, ſhall be puniſhed firſt of God, and then of the Church, as alſo of the Magiſtrate; and on the 12. verſe: Paul wiſhes they were cut off from the Church, which rend the Church about circumciſion, who trouble and diſturbe both the outward peace of the So Calvin in Gal 5. v. 10. 12. I intreat the Independant men in the feare of God to read & conſider what is more fully ſet down in thoſe two verſes by Calvin and Pareus.Church, as alſo your faith and conſciences: So Calvin, on theſe two verſes, 10. & 12. ſpeakes thus: But let them heare whoever give occaſion of troubles to the Churches, who looſen the unity of the Faith, who breake peace, and if they have any right underſtanding, let them tremble at this, for God doth pronounce by the mouth of Paul, that no Authors of ſuch offences ſhall be unpuniſhed. They teare and rend the Church about Circumciſion, I would have them to be cut off▪ neither can this be condemned of cruelty, as if it were againſt Charity, for if we compare the Church with one man, or a few, how farre doth that outwaigh? for it is cruell mercy, which preferres one man, or a few, before the Church, &c. Now the Toleration deſired, to ſet up Churches independant, and ſeparated from the Churches in the Kingdome, it is in it ſelfe a ſchiſme, a rent, and a troubling, diſturbing of the Church, ſo it will prove more and more, (and cannot be avoided, according to their principles and practices hitherto) a daily ſchiſme and rent in this Church, and an infinite diſturbance, both to the outward peace, and to the faith and conſciences of the people in this Kingdome. The Church of England will be as much troubled by it, as ever was the Church of Galatia, which will appeare more fully in the following Reaſons. And therefore there ought to be no Toleration; every one in their place ought to be againſt it, the Magiſtrates, Miniſters, and People. The permitting and ſuffering of evill, with the giving of any countenance to it, when men have power to hinder it, is to be partakers of their ſinne, 1 Tim. 5. 22. the ſecond Epiſtle of John, the 11. verſe. Qui non prohibet, quando proteſt, jubet. Hee that doth not forbid when he hath power, commands. And let me aske the Independant Miniſters a queſtion or two; Is it fitting that well meaning Chriſtians ſhould be ſuffered to goe and make Churches, and then proceed to chuſe whom they will for Miniſters, as ſome Taylor, Felt-maker, Button-maker, men ignorant, and low in parts, by whom they ſhall be led into ſinne and errors, and to forſake the publicke aſſemblies, where they may enjoy worthy and pretious Paſtors, after Gods owne heart, who would feed them with knowledge and underſtanding? If once there be a Toleration of Churches, it will be thus, but if they be hindered of all meetings, this would be prevented. So hereſies alſo may take and ſpread in thoſe ſeparated aſſemblies, before they can be knowne to the Magiſtrates and Miniſters of other Churches. Do not your hearts bleed within you to ſee and heare of this for the preſent in ſeverall places, and to thinke what will be hereafter? O mine doth, and thus if once there were a Toleration, how many weake Brethren would periſh for whom Chriſt dyed?
Reaſon. II.
THe toleration deſired will not helpe to heale the Schiſmes and tents of this Church, (which is one ſpeciall thing ought to be looked unto in this preſent reformation of the Church) but will much foment and encreaſe it. For whilſt ſome congregations, and they accounted of note both for miniſters and people, will not ſubmit to the reformation and government ſetled by Law, this will breed in the peoples mindes many thoughts Ex natura rei, that this Church and government is not ordered according to the Word of God, but is unlawfull; elſe why ſhould ſuch men moſt eminent for gifts and graces, (as many people account them) refuſe to conforme to it? and this will prove as great and as continued a diviſion betweene the miniſters and people of the Churches eſtabliſhed by Law, and the Churches tolerated, as ever was betweene Conformiſts and Non-conformiſts about Ceremonies; nay greater, becauſe theſe are of different Churches & Congregations, whereas Conformiſts and non-conformiſts held communion together in one Church, though contending about theſe matters; and that this will certainly be, may be eaſily beleeved and foreſeene upon theſe grounds.
1. Becauſe many of the people who yet be not in this Church way for their practiſe, are yet much poſſeſſed with theſe principles of the Independant way, as the onelyonly way of God, and are much looking towards it.
2. The mindes of multitudes of the profeſſors in England, and eſpecially in this City, are upon all occaſions very apt to fall to any way in Doctrine or Diſcipline that is not commonly received by the Church, as accounting ſome ſingular perfection to be in that which is new, and held but by a few.
3. Though the Miniſters of the Congregations tolerated, would promiſe not to preach of theſe points in publicke, nor in private to ſpeake of them, (which yet they will not be tyed unto) yet their people many of them both men and women, are ſo ſtrangely bold, pragmaticall, and ſo highly conceited of their way (as the Kingdome of Chriſt and the onelyonly way of Chriſt) that what out of thoſe principles, and what by vertue of their relations in friendſhip, kindred, &c. there would be continuall drawing of many, and many falling to them.
4. The prime principles of this Church way, as namely independancie, liberty, power, of government and rule to be in the people, are mighty pleaſing to fleſh and blood; people generally, chiefely meane perſons, and ſuch who have beene kept under, affecting Independancie, Liberty, Power, and Rule.
5. The grant of a toleration will be made uſe of by them for the ſtrengthning of their way to be the truth; and will be interpreted in this ſenſe, that they had ſuch grounds and reaſons, as the ableſt Miniſters in the Kingdome could not anſwer, and therefore were content they ſhould have a toleration, (elſe if they could have ſatisfied them, what needed a toleration?) onelyonly though they could not anſwer their Reaſons, and had nothing to ſay, yet they would not come to them, and this will be ſpoken of by their followers, that we would not bee convinced, though we could ſay nothing againſt it: all which will (as a meanes to encreaſe their ſide) occaſion continuall ſtrifes, diviſions, heart-burnings both of Miniſters againſt Miniſters, and people againſt people, ſo that in ſtead of Union and peace in the Kingdome and Church, we ſhall have notwithſtanding all reformation, a greater diviſion and rent ſucceede than ever before.
Reaſon. III.
THis toleration will not onelyonly breede Diviſions and Schiſmes, diſturbing the peace and quiet of Churches and Townes, by ſetting them who are of different families, and in more remote relations one againſt another, but it will undoubtedly cauſe much diſturbance, diſcontent, and diviſions in the ſame families even betweene the neareſt relations of husbands and wives, Fathers and children, brothers and ſiſters, Maſters and Servants: The husband being of one Church, & the wife of another; the father of one, & the childe of another; the maſter of the Church eſtabliſhed by Law, the ſervant of the tolerated; one brother of one Church, and another brother of another; and ſo all Oeconomicall relations and duties will be much diſturbed, when as they of one houſe, and they in one bed ſhall be ſo divided, as that they ſhall not be of one Church, nor worſhip God together in Word, Sacraments, Prayer, but apart. O how will this overthrow all peace and quiet in families, filling husbands and wives with diſcontents, and ſetting at variance Fathers and children, each againſt other, weakning that fervent love in thoſe relations! O how will this occaſion diſobedience, contempt, neglects of Governours from the inferiors of the family, whilſt the Governours be looked upon by them, as not in a true Church! O how will this toleration take away (for every Saint muſt bee free to joyne himſelfe voluntarily to what congregation he pleaſe) that power, authority, which God hath given the husbands, fathers, and maſters, overwives, children, ſervants; whilſt that they ſhall joyne againſt their wills to ſuch Churches, and be ſtollen from them againſt their pleaſure: nei…her can the Governours be able to judge of their pro… in the Word, nor be certaine they ſanctifie the Lords day (according as God hath layd the charge upon them in the fourth Commandement) when as the children and ſervants are of other Churches; ſo that by theſe and many other things which will be found in experience, this toleration will pervert, diſturbe, that Order of Gods owne appointing, namely the relations, duties, and workes of families, which were there nothing elſe to be ſayd againſt it, this were enough, God certainely appointing no ſuch Church way…s is croſſe to the good and peace of families (one orcer of God certainely not deſtroying another.) Now how ſtrong this Reaſon is againſt this toleration, I ſubmit to the Judgement of that Court, which hath the Legiſlative power, they knowing well that both Churches and Common-wealths are made of families all iſſuing out from thence, they being the Seminaries and Nurſeries for both, and if there be a ground-worke layd for diſturbances, diviſions, and diſorders there, what can be firme, peaceable, or ſure?
Reaſon. IIII.
THere will be great danger of continuall Diviſions, diſtractions, diſputes amongſt us, not onelyonly from the different forme of government and worſhip in their Churches and ours; but from other Doctrines and practiſes held by ſome of them for the preſent (as for inſtance that Saints when they dye, goe not to heaven where Chriſt is, but they goe to a third place; the ſitting with their Hats on at the receiving of the Lords Supper, &c.) and others that will be dayly broached, and then their Churches being Independant and not under the government of any out of themſelves, they will goe on without being hindred; and whereas we have now too many new and ſtrange doctrines, we ſhall have nothing but errours and novelties broached, and ſo greater contentions and breaches amongſt us.
Reaſon. V.
THe moſt eminent Miniſters in this Kingdome for parts, grace, and Labours, can have little aſſurance of the continuance of their flockes to them, if ſuch a toleration be granted, for they will draw away their people, and admit them into their Churches, and even gather and encreaſe their Churches out of the labours of the beſt Miniſters, the Miniſters ſhall doe little elſe but ſpend, and be ſpent, for to fit men for them; when Miniſters have travelled in birth of children, and ſhould have comfort and joy in them, then they will be ſtollen away. This toleration upon any diſcontent taken or any light occaſion of demanding dues, or preaching againſt any thing they like not, opens a wide dore and will invite them to deſert their Miniſters; and what a ſadding of the heart and diſcouragement in the worke of the Lord, this muſt be to the Miniſters of the Kingdome, let all judge.
Reaſon. VI.
A Toleration of Churches to bee erected as Independant, to enjoy liberty and exemption from the eſtabilſhed, will be undoubtedly a meanes and way of their infinite multiplication and encreaſe, even to increaſe them 30. fold, ſo that if the Parliament could like to have more of the breede, and have a delight to have multitudes to be exempted from the Eccleſiaſticall Lawes of the Land, (which Parliaments never did) no way like this: for we ſee within this nine moneths (though there be no toleration of their way) yet having not beene lookt after, how are they increaſed and multiplyed? and that there will be a mighty encreaſe upon a toleration (to ſay nothing of caſting a ſnare upon the people, by this to make doubts, nor nothing of the wantonneſſe and inſtability of many profeſſours, nor of the activeneſſe of many to ſpread theſe principles that their party may be conſiderable) this may evince it: In many, if not in moſt Townes and Pariſhes it cannot be helped, but that there are and will be for many yeeres, men of no great popular gifts for preaching, who alſo according to their principles, not having beene brought up to it, cannot ſo comply with their people: now many that live in theſe Pariſhes (ſeeing they may keepe their houſes and places of abode) upon the newes of a toleration, will for the benefit of more powerfull, practicall, and zealous Preaching, betake themſelves to goe to their Churches, (which liberty they cannot have in the Churches eſtabliſhed, for the Law (it is likely) will provide for men to keepe to their owne Miniſters, where there is ſufficient preaching) and ſo will fall to their principles, and ſo wee ſhall have upon this grouud ſwarmes of them.
Reaſon. VI.
THe Prime and fundamentall principles of this Independant way, upon which they erect their Church way and independancy, are very prejudiciall, dangerous, and unſufferable, to this Kingdome, as for inſtances, Saints qua Saints, two or three of them or more, they onelyonly have an immediate independant power Manuſ. of a… Treatiſe of the Church.from Chriſt their immediate head, to gather and combinde themſelves into viſible Churches, without expecting warrant from any Governours whatſoever upon earth, as alſo being thus gathered and joyned into a Church, to chuſe all officers among themſelves, and to exerciſe all Diſcipline and Eccleſiaſticall Government, even to Excomunication, without and againſt the good will and conſent of the Chriſtian Magiſtrates, but the Magiſtrates whether Kings and Princes, or States, they have no power, but in all things of the Viſible Church Chriſt is an Immediate Governour to the Saints, having put none of his power out of his hands to any Magiſtrate whatſoever, but though he hath given much power to Magiſtrates over goods, liberties, and lives of his Saints, yet this Spirituall power of gathering and making Churches, and of the power of exerciſing cenſures and Diſcipline ſo as it may not be exerciſed without their power and leave, he hath not given them; ſo that I deſire them to conſider and enquire whether this denying to Kings and Princes power and authority in cauſes Eccleſiaſticall in the Church, and giving all Spirituall, Eccleſiaſticall power immediately, and independantly under Chriſt to the particular Congregations, and not to the King, be not againſt theſe Lawes and Statutes of the Land, made in 26. Henry the 8. cap. 1. 25. yeere of Henry the 8. cap. 19. and the 1. yeere of Elizabeth cap. 1. where it will be found that all Juriſdiction, Superiority, Spirituall and Eccleſiaſticall, as by any Spirituall or Eccleſiaſticall power or authority hath beene, or may lawfully be exerciſed, for the viſitation of the Eccleſiaſticall ſtate and perſons, and for reformation, order and correction of the ſame, and of all manner of Errours, Hereſies, Schiſmes, abuſes, offences, &c. ſhall for ever by authority of this preſent Parliament, be united and annexed to the Imperiall Crowne of this Realme. As alſo that no orders nor conſtitutions may be enacted in the Church without the Kings aſſent, and hence the oath of Supremacie was appointed by Law for every Eccleſiaſticall perſon to take: hence I aske the Independant men, ſeeing they give that immediate Eccleſiaſticall power to their particular Churches, which the Papiſts doe to the Pope, whether they will take the oath of Supremacie, or doe acknowledge in their prayers that title of the King, Defendor of the Faith, &c. Secondly, they hold that things lawfull in themſelves (as for inſtance, ſet formes of Prayer acknowledged by them to be lawfull) yet being enjoyned A Liturgie impoſed is Popery ſaith the Proteſtation Proteſted.by Authority are now unlawfull, ſo that though a Forme of Prayer be lawfull, yet being impoſed for order, uniformity, that alters the caſe (a ſtrange paradox that things lawfull in themſelves tending to Order and Peace, ſhould become unlawfull when commanded.) 3 They affirme that Chriſtian Manuſ Treatiſ. of a Church.Princes & Magiſtrates who are defenders of the Faith, have no more to doe in and about the Church then Heathen Princes. Some of them deny alſo and queſtion Robinſ. Apol. c. 11.that received axiome, that the Magiſtrate is cuſtos utriuſque tabulae; Saying of thoſe Kings of Judah and Iſrael who medled in the Church with reformation and eſtabliſhment of Religion, that they did it not as Kings, but as types of Chriſt: ſo that I leave it to better judgement whether it be ſafe for a Kingdome to tolerate ſuch Churches who maintaine and vent upon all occaſions ſuch kinde of principles; and as the principles, ſo the people for a great part of them be dangerous and inſufferable, heady, refractory, proud, bitter, ſcornefull, deſpiſers of Authority, who though but a few comparatively and the Lawes ſtanding, have attempted not to ſuffer the publicke prayers to be prayed, but what with ſinging, what with clapping on of Hats in times of prayer, what with reviling and threatning of Miniſters, have laboured to hinder their uſe: Now if they dare attempt ſuch practiſes and things being but a few, the Lawes being point blanke againſt them, and the Lawes eſtabliſhing the other, what will they not doe when they ſhall be multiplyed and tolerated, if they come once to a great head? we may feare they will not tolerate the Churches, and Government eſtabliſhed by Law: but what inſolencies and miſchiefes will follow upon their toleration, not onelyonly in Eccleſiaſticall government, but in Civill, I leave ſuch who are experienced men in matters of Government to fore-ſee and Judge of, but hereafter too late to remedie, but I deſire rather to pray againſt a toleration, than to Prophecy of the wofull effects of it.
Reaſon. VIII.
THeſe independant men where they have power (as in new England) will not give a toleration for any other Eccleſiaſticall Government or Churches but in their owne way, they would not ſuffer men of other opinions in doctrine and government to live within the bounds of their patent, though at the furtheſt bounds, but have baniſhed them. They were ſent to from England by ſome godly Miniſters their brethren, men otherwiſe approved by them, as being againſt Ceremonies, who being in danger of leaving the Land, ſent Vide Anſ. from new England to the 32. queſt. ſent by ſome Lancaſhire Miniſters.to know if they might have liberty according to their Conſciences to goe in a Church way, ſomething differing from theirs, and not in this Independant Popular Government; to which queſtion you may reade the anſwer, they could not grant any other forme of government but one, ſeeing there is but one way of Church government layd downe in the Word, and that unchangeable, and therefore they cannot yeeld to it. So others of them will nottolerate, or admit into fellowſhip the godlieſt Chriſtians, unleſſe they will enter into Covenant, profeſſe their faith, ſubmit to their Church Orders, though they would be of their Church; ſo that theſe men who now would faine have a toleration in this great Kingdome will not allow any in a remote Plantation, nor in one of their ſmall particular Congregations, for feare of diſturbing the peace of their Church, and yet would have a toleration in this Kingdome, never caring to diſturbe the peace, and good of the three Kingdomes which would be much hazarded by it, but thus partiall men are (and you may obſerve it) tis ordinary for men when they are not in place nor have no power in Church or Common-wealth, and hold alſo Doctrines and principles contrary to what is held, and eſtabliſhed, then to plead for tolerations, when as the ſame parſons comming to be in place and to have power, wil not tolerate others to ſet up any way different from theirs. And I beleeve thoſe preſent men, who here are endeavouring a toleration for their Churches had they the power in their hands to ſettle a Government, we ſhould have no Government tolerated, nor Church but the Independant way, and for this ſee The Proteſtation Proteſted, what he thinkes of our Church, and of what ever Government ſhall be eſtabliſhed.
Reaſon. IX.
AToleration may be demaunded upon the ſame grounds for all the rigid Browniſts of the Kingdom and for all the Anabaptiſts, Familiſts, and other Sectaries, who profeſſe tis conſcience in them, and in ſome reſpects upon better grounds it may be moved by them, as being perſwaded we are no true Church, then for theſe Semi-Separatiſts; nay whether may not the Papiſts petition to, and hope to have a toleration of Religion, ſeeing it is Conſcience in many of them as well as you, and if once an exemption be given from the Religion eſtabliſhed by Law to one ſort, why may not others thinke to have the ſame priviledge? and therefore if ever the dore of Tolerations ſhould be but a little opened, there would be great crouding by al ſorts to enter in at it.
Reaſon. X.
THe granting a Toleration of this Independant way whoſe firſt & fundamental principle is, that two or three Saints, where ever or by what meanes ſoever they Rob. Juſtific. 221.doe ariſe, ſeparating themſelves from the world into the fellowſhip of the Goſpell, are a Church truely gathered and that they only have an immediate and independant power from Chriſt their immediate head to gather and combine themſelvs without expecting warrant from any Governours whatſoever upon earth to make a Church, doth make way for any thing for Libertiniſm or for any Manuſ Treatiſ. of a Church.opinion in the world, that ſo all who fall into any Doctrine, or any who like not their owne Miniſters and Church Government, either becauſe they reſtraine them from ſinne or keepe them to Gods Ordinances, they may goe three or foure of them, and enter into Covenant among themſelves, and be a Church and live without Miniſters and Sacraments along time upon pretence that they can finde none fit for them yet (as theſe Independant men doe) and when they doe chuſe, then chuſe ſuch of their owne opinions and wayes, and ſo they may live together at liberty in ways pleaſing themſelves: neither can this helpe it, to ſay this belongs onelyonly to Saints, 'tis their Prerogative Royall and not others, for all Heretickes, Sectaries, or Libertines will count themſelves Saints as well as our Independant men: they may be their owne Judges, and will ſay that they are Saints as well as you ſay, for the Miniſters and Magiſtrates of the Kingdome ſhall not have the power to determine who be Saints and who not, ſo that if the State ſhould tolerate the Independancie, they know not what they tolerate, but in the belly of this Independancie they tolerate and make way for Libertiniſme, Hereſie, and what ever Satan and the corrupt hearts of men have a pleaſure to broach and fall into.
Reaſon. X.
I Propound this queſtion what theſe men would have in this toleration, whether the number of theſe Independant Congregations, that they would have tolerated, ſhould be five or ſix Congregations onelyonly, and no more, or ſhall the number be left undetermined; to bee free to multiply into as many Churches as they pleaſe: if the number muſt be determined, this will overthrow their principles and Churches quickely, as when one Church breakes into two or three, as upon their principles it muſt, and oft times doth, as at Amſterdam into two, at Roterdam alſo, and at London, and when one of the Tolerated Churches breakes into two or three, which ſhall be reckoned, that that is the Church allowed of by the State, for each part will pretend to it: but now if they ſay the number muſt be left undetermined, then we may quickely have halfe a dozen of their Churches in ſome one Pariſh of a City or Towne, nay two or three Churches in a place, ſprung out of one of their owne, and we may have every where three or foure men of an opinion, differing from others to goe make a different Church, and ſo they will encreaſe in infinitum, and there will be no end of diviſions, and ſubdiviſions.