Light for Smoke, Section 18
SECT. XVIII. The Toleration deſired by Mr. Saltm. neither ſafe nor ſound, oppoſite to the minde of Paul, 1 Cor. 1.10. Gal. 5.10.12. Of the compariſon of the two ambitious Brethren to ten more humble and moderate; The Preſbytery not proved by Magiſtrates, though approved by them; Of the pretended truth of Sectaries, and of the preſcription of Biſhops and Independents.
Smoke. Pag. 47.I Would there were more ſuch, (that is, ſuch as would give full ſcope and libertie to multiplicitie of ſects) I am ſure it is ſafeſt, and ſoundeſt; It is ſafeſt, for there is no ſuch danger in that of crucifying Chriſt in ignorance, or fighting againſt God; and ſoundeſt, for ſo they die out moſt naturally by their owne unſoundneſſe, without noiſe and commotion.
Light.In this you have delivered a moſt unſafe, and unſound paradox, which is diſproved by the experience of former ages, and foraine parts; but moſt of all by that of our owne Kingdome within theſe foure yeeres laſt paſt: witneſſe Mr. Edwards his laſt Booke the Gangrene, which if you were ſo unpatiall and patient, as to read without prejudice or paſſion, you could not patiently review your own writing in this particular.
Smoke. Pag. 47. Oppoſe with words, as Paul did, but not with ſword, and turning the edge of authoritie againſt us.
light. In this you are oppoſite to Paul and your ſelfe both; to Paul, who expreſſely preſſeth to union in minde, in judgement, in ſpeech; 1 Cor. 1.10. and wiſheth them cut off who trouble the Church, Gal. 5.12. whereas you would have ſects to be left to themſelves: and to your ſelfe; whereas before you would have them let alone, to die out moſt naturally without noiſe, now you would have them oppoſed with words, as Paul did; but can there be words of oppoſition without any noiſe? And for that you ſay againſt the coercion or execution by the ſword, it is impertinently propoſed to the Presbytery, who take not upon them to turne the edge of authoritie any way; and prejudiciall to the prudence and power of Magiſtrates, as if they knew not when to uſe it, unleſſe they were admoniſhed and moved by others unto it, or might not uſe it againſt diſturbers of the publique peace of Church and State.
Smoke. Pag. 48. But how came you by ſuch plentie (as ten) of the better ſort for two of the worſe?
Light.There meeds none other anſw, to this queſt. then to repeat your words and mine aright: Your ſelfe ſaid *See my Examination of the New Querie. Sect. 10. p. 34.I queſtion not but ſome Preſbyterians may be like the ten, yet there are others like the two brethren, who ſtrive who ſhould be the greateſt. To which mine Anſwer is, If we keepe the proportion you brought in, and make application accordingly, we may ſay, for two ambitious Preſbyterians it is like there may be ten that are more modeſtly and humbly minded, then to affect ſuch a preeminence above their brethren.
Smoke. Pag. 48. Indeed you are able to prove by the Magiſtrate that Preſbytery is ſome of it Chriſts way, that is an argument of power, not of Scripture.
Light.How farre the Presbyteriall government is Chriſts way is ſufficiently ſet forth by the forecited Authour, who hath profeſſedly handled it; but who I pray you offers to prove by the Magiſtracy that the Presbytery is Chriſts way? they may prove it to the Magiſtrate, but to doe it by the Magiſtrate, is neither undertaken, nor required by any.
Smoke. Pag. 49. We had rather be a few with truth, then a multitude againſt it.
Light.If that were your minde, you would rather cloſe with Preſbyterians, whom you cannot deny to be ſound and Orthodox in all matters of faith, and godlineſſe, then with ſo many extravagant Sectaries, who are ſo contradictory both to the Scripture, and to themſelves, in their oppoſite Tenets, that there muſt needs be very much untruth in their Tenets.
Smoke. Pag. 50. The Biſhops had a better preſcription even by Law for their Government then we: (i.) then Independents.
But how is this? is a legall preſcription better hold the a Gospel preſcription?
Light.In this and ſome lines next following you take that for granted, which we cannot yeeld, nor can you ever prove, viz. that your Independency is purely Evangelicall; which if you can make good (but the Texts you have crowded together at the end of your opening of Mr. Prinnes Vindication will not doe it) you ſhall make me of your Religion, when you let me know which it is you will chooſe, and ſtand to when you have choſen.