Vindication of the Government of New England Churches 2, Letter 2
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. To the Fraternity of the Churches in the New-England Colonies.
Truly honorable, and beloved in Chriſt,
IT is not from any diſreſpect, or for want of honor to the reverend elderſhip and paſtors of your ſeveral communities, that I apply myſelf more immediately and thus abruptly to your ſelves in this dedication. But for that it ſeems moſt agreable with my preſent provence. The privileges of the fraternity being ſo peculiarly the theme and ſubject of my pains, I eſteem it very proper to introduce my following eſſays, with a few words of advice more directly to yourſelves if you may be thence moved and encouraged to aſſiſt for the ſupport of Chriſt's and your own intereſts. I deſire to be without offence to any, and pray that all ſuch worthy perſons, wiſe and faithful paſtors in theſe churches (who are as much obliged by their office to ſtand by and defend the eſtabliſhed intereſt and rights of them as I am, and far more capable) will interpret my whole action in the moſt favorable ſenſe. And tho' I have not with the noble Cortius leapt into a chaſm made in the forum; yet I have ventured to ſtep into the gap, to keep the breach, till better hands come up, for the ſervice of my country, and in defence of their ſacred liberties; ſo that I hope many of you will come in with a new ſupply and recruit of courage and argument, when and where mine fails; and for the preſent I preſume none of you will be offended, tho' I do thus immediately addreſs the churches over which you preſide, with the following principles of their intereſt and duty wrapped up in each other.
Then, Honorable Brethren!
1ſt. In general, my advice is to you, that in good order, and with all gracefulneſs which becomes wiſe men, you will with zeal, courage and faithfulneſs, ſtand in the defence of, and maintain your church liberties; God certainly obliges you to do it, with all the diſcretion and bravery of ſpirit, which becomes free men, in withſtanding vaſſalage or a ſervile ſtate, Gal. 5.1, 13. Stand faſt therefore in the liberties, wherewith Chriſt has made us free, and be not intangled again with the yoke of bondage: The plea is as forcible againſt a chriſtian, as a Jeweiſh Thraldom. For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty. I muſt acknowledge I have no particular prejudice againſt any of the governments of chriſtian proteſtant churches in the world, ſo as to defraud or diſpoſſeſs any of them of heaven; or monopolize ſo great a royalty to our own; but yet I am of this opinion, conſidering the juſt title of the crown, the churches, the people, the capacity of ſoil and climate together, that the conſtitution and way of New-England churches cannot be mended by exchange.
Briefly, To inſtance in the civil part, or intereſt of the crown, I think it very eaſy to evince, by the precepts both of religion and policy, that the parliament (that wiſe and auguſt council of the nation) could not have invented an eſtabliſhment in church order, more for the ſervice of the imperial crown of the Britiſh empire than our preſent conſtitution, eſpecially in ſuch a country and climate as this is.
I ſhall not now any ways enter upon the queſtion, but only give juſt a ſhort hint as to the revenue. Our preſent conſtitution does indeed, ſomewhat more than ſip; it takes an honeſt healthful draught at natures fountains, but leaves the flowing ſtreams for empire to ſit at, till filled with ſatiety.
The eccleſiaſticks in ſome kingdoms in Europe are ready not only to chide with crowned heads, but to take them by the throat, and wring out of their hands, if not almoſt a moiety, yet a vaſt ſhare of the golden fleeces that ſhould ſupply the public treaſuries, and cloath the nakedneſs of the kingdoms, and the people have no more wit but to juſtify and defend them in their claims and oppreſſions, and that till they themſelves (in great numbers) are as thin and ragged as penury itſelf; for by their rules of adjuſtment, when the church hath gotten an unconſcionable ſhare, then the crown or ſubject muſt be almoſt ſtarved; for there is not left a ſufficient and plentiful ſupply for both.
But now our New-England conſtitution is very fair-mannered; for when its ſits down to the ſtalled ox (made ready) it carves temperately and (without much defacing) leaves the whole to the empire to make its armies and navies, with the reſt of its needful and unwearied ſervants welcome. That in loyalty to your prince, and for the ſupport of the royal revenue, you may juſtly preſerve your freedoms.
Let us alſo conſider the beſt good of a whole people.
It is moſt certain, true grace is the one thing needful, and the main concern for the improvement of the powers both of prince, noble and peaſant, and tho' grace be of that nature that it will grow (after a faſhion and in ſome ſort of ſoil) almoſt under any government; yet it is moſt agreable with laws of piety and wiſdom (for the good of all in general) to chuſe and ſecure that conſtitution and form of government that is moſt agreable, and which moſt naturally breeds it, and in greateſt plenty.
By the ſuffrage of our nation, that government which ſenſibly clogs tyranny, and preſerves the ſubject free from ſlavery, under the ambition of men of great fortune and truſt, is the only government in the ſtate to advance mens temporal happineſs; and we in this country honor the reſolve in civil affairs, and alſo affirm (upon great experience) that ſuch a conſtitution in church government is (alſo) the only way to advance grace and mans eternal happineſs; and we are the more ratifyed in our opinion, for that the experiment has on the other hand been tried, with a witneſs, in almoſt all kingdoms of the chriſtian world, and that firſt, by diſſeiſing the fraternity of all intereſt in church government, only they have had the liberty to be governed with a hook in their noiſe (like wild cattle in a ſtring) by the mercy and pleaſures of their drivers; but as for any ſhare in the exerciſe of government, they have had no more, than the horſes in the royal ſtables, for that their ſpiritual owners having ſeized all the keys of church power, they profeſs no dividend ſhall be made, and alſo they themſelves being uncontrolable by any, and unaccountable to any, unleſs it be to Chriſt himſelf, as they pretend: Though I believe, thouſands of them never expect to meet with him, nor think that he ever will audit any accompts of theirs.
But however, for the comfort and glory of the preſent life, the whole government of the ſpiritual kingdom, in all its … inches, and with its immenſe profits, has been eſtabliſhed theirs. But this ſort of diſcipline, hath ſunk great part of the chriſtian world, as many times over, as ages have paſt, ſince it hath been inſtalled univerſal rector, and where it hath kept abſolute poſſeſſion of the throne.
And muſt the waves and preſent currents ſit and w…ft theſe churches, towards thoſe rocks and ſhipwrecks, whilſt we have ſuch good hands and pilots an board? God forbid!
Therefore let theſe churches and the noble fraternity of them, ſtand their ground, keep faſt hold of what you have got, Rev. 3.11. Hold that faſt which thou haſt, that no man take thy crown.
Hold your hold brethren! Et validis incumbite Remis, pull up well upon your oars, you have a rich cargo, and I hope we ſhall eſcape ſhipwreck; for according to the lateſt obſervation, if we are not within ſight, yet we are not far from harbour; and though the noiſe of great breakers which we hear, imports hazard, yet I hope day-light, and good piloting will ſecure all.
More particularly I aſk your patience with liberty (ſtill for your ſervice) to make the few following diſtinct petitions.
I. PETITION.
Honorable brethren!
THAT you would know what you are, and who you are, in the more ample and heroic ſenſe of your ſtate!
It is certainly very agreable with grace, for the upright, ſometimes to ſhift ideas, and change ſuch as are mournful, for thoſe which bear a bright aſpect in their condition; otherways they may rob God of the glory of the beſt part of his grace and bounty, and diſinable their own ſtrength, for ſome of the moſt important ſervices they are called to in the world; therefore Nehemiah plucks up his courage, and ſays, "Should ſuch a man as I flee?" As tho' he ſhould ſay, he knew himſelf owner of too many great endowments and inſtruments, to be ſo little as to run for it, or be dreaded with ſuch an alarm, Neh. 6.11, 12.
So brethren, imagine yourſelves to be ſomething more than ordinary; for really you be ſo; and that as you are a goſpel combination, and collectively conſidered.
What! the beſt men of our country who form our courts, and command our armies, that make the figure and … the true luſtre (by their great wiſdom and real accompliſhments) in all great ſhews and appearances: Muſt all theſe be made null, or buried in a mioſis (as is frequently enacted by ambition) for the fake of ſome inferior members in a fraternity? which is as much as to ſay, in ſtate affairs, becauſe coblers ſtalls or orange ſellers baſkets, afford no ſtates-men, ergo, none to be found; or becauſe that in many great counties there may chance to be an hundred knaves, and twice the number of fools, ergo, there be no legales homines, lawful men, fit for juries; no men fit for burgeſſes or knights of the ſhire, to be found to make parliament men? and ſo the kingdom muſt needs looſe all its ancient righ…s by default. And whether or no ſuch obſervations as theſe, that are ſo very concluſive, as you ſee, may ſtand for better law and logic in the churches than in the empire?
But if of equal force in each conſtitution, then▪ whether this is not the way to inter and bury the glory of the empire and churches in their own rubbiſh, whilſt we incapa…itate the heroes of both by an argument a minoriad majus, viz. by infering the inſufficiency of the great and wiſe becauſe of the mean and baſe mingled in the ſame communities.
II. PETITION.
THAT you will put ſuch an eſtimation and value on your church liberties as the Engliſh do on their civil. And this is but a very reaſonable requeſt if you conſider the differing treaſuries under cuſtody, viz. Immortal ſouls on the one hand, and outward fortunes on the other.
Many of you know the ſtories (poſſibly better than I can recite them) which tell us, what ſhip loads of blood and treaſure thoſe civil things have coſt the Engliſh world; and how near they ſtill lie to Engliſhmens hearts. And many of you being immediate ſucceſſors, cannot but be very ſenſible what theſe New-England liberties have coſt your progenitors, ſome of them having buried their eſtates, and all of them their bones in theſe foundations, and left you now in poſſeſſion, that if you ſhould put contempt upon their adventures, their courage, wiſdom, zeal and ſelf denial, by under-prizing theſe ineſtimable infranchizments, and ſlight them as though they were now to be indorſt by your own hands with Hezekiah's Nehuſtan, God may then put you to learn the worth of them at that ſchool where they learnt it; and I am ſure you will pay dear for your tutoring if it comes to that.
III. PETITION.
Honor and oblige your paſtors and public miniſtry:
IT is certain they are very great articles in the reaſons of your well being, Mat. 5.13, 14. They make all things more ſavory, and to go down with a better reliſh; yea, they alter tradgedies and comedies into a more grateful entertainment. What is all the glory in the world without the goſpel purely diſpens'd, and its moſt refined influence? Theſe are the lights of the world, and carry the lanthorn aloft in the dark night of your travels, thro' the tempeſtuous ocean of a miſerable life, to direct all to a ſafe landing at laſt.
Indeed, I muſt acknowledge, your miniſters, when ſound and faithful, are to be accounted and eſteemed amongſt the beſt of your friends, tho' when corrupt and prejudiced, the worſt of your enemies.
I think the devil himſelf, and the world of his accomplices, can't do you the damage, they may upon a revolt. That I beg you will be curious and careful of your intereſt embarked and depoſited there.
And without making any ſcruple (in the main) they are your hearty and faithful ſervants. Endeavor to increaſe their love, and let them ſee and feel you have a double honor for them for their works ſake. And if after all your repeated grace and goodneſs, they will deſert and betray you, they ſhall then incur a double guilt both by tranſgreſſing the laws of gratitude to you and of loyalty to their great Lord.
And I aſſure you, Sirs, I ſhould upon ſuch terms be very loath to ſhare in their triumphs, tho' their gains ſhould be ſeemingly great, and their ſignals and ſhouts equal with the Caeſars of the world in their going off.
IV. PETITION.
Furniſh your churches with ruling elders!
THE nature of the office is not only agreable with your frame, and exacted by your principles, but indeed carries ſafety and protection in it to your liberties: ſuch truſtees are not liable to corruption as other officers, in that you do as it were tranſmit and intruſt them with your very principles of ſelf-preſervation, which are of that nature as never to alter their ſentiments, unleſs it be in the diſſolution of the ſubject, when all falls together. The office ſeems a creation, where your juſt and regular ſympathies, and antipathies center by the laws of nature; that what you love, they love; what you hate, they hate; and being ex officio, of the ſtanding watch and guard, they will peculiarly perſonate your ſelves upon every notable criſis, and naturally caring for your affairs, will, like wakeful ſentinels curiouſly and with courage guard your liberties. Let churches which are numerous and fuller of eminent gifts, lead the way, and then excite and provoke their ſiſter churches to ſuch love and good works for the advance of the common cauſe. There are without doubt, in theſe churches, many private members, worthy perſons, ſuitably qualified for this office, who (like ſome edge-tools heedle…ly left to ruſt out in oblivion) lie hid, yet, when found, and put to uſe, will prove themſelves truely eminent.
Let Chriſt's churches ſeek amongſt their neglected hoards; for they are, without doubt, church by church, far richer than they make for; there are, indeed, complaints of great poverty, and of a dearth and ſcarcity of ſuitable men. But I preſume it is done with great injuſtice; and complaints of this nature in theſe churches, are but the complaints of ſervants that are full fed; and relieve no caſe by complaining, but rather reflect diſhonour upon their good maſter, who hath bought all and beſtow'd enough, and alſo incur blame to themſelves for not improving thoſe talents for the advance of his exchequer, which they themſelves have wrapt up in a napkin, and that in this caſe, by too much ſymbolizing with the carnal and politic men of the world, who to humour ſome by-ends (under the maſquerade of indigent perſons) make themſelves very poor, tho' God has given them great riches, Prov. 13.7. This is a true (tho' a ſerious affirmation) that in our conſtitution and principles, there is as plain a precept, if not as great a reaſon for this officer, as for any other in our churches; and yet, as to matter of fact, we find it to be rara avis in terra, like a black ſwan in the meadow; and tho' the whole ſpecies is not quite rooted out, yet it is grown very rare to find one individual.
Now the fault muſt be ſome-where, and I am ſatisfied, our poverty is leaſt to blame.
That ſome body or another muſt needs be culpable, on the account of this great omiſſion, may I without offence iſſue out, ſearch and inqueſt, to know who is to blame, upon this failure, whether brethren, or public officers, or whole churches?
I. Private Brethren.
MAY not the blame be laid in ſome caſes and in ſome churches, upon ſome very capable chriſtian gentlemen, who tho' not incumbred (for the public) with any other incoherent ſervice, yet are poſſibly too ſhy of this truſt, when offered to them? It muſt needs be acknowledged, the office is almoſt perfectly a piece of mortification and ſelf denial; there is no proviſion in it to feed ambition, or feaſt any other luſt; all is full of watching and painfulneſs, and the reward and wages quite out of ſight. But however in ſuch examples, whether perſons ſo qualified, and ſo called, ought not to comply, or themſelves bear the blame.
The terms of Chriſt's kingdom are very ſtrict and rigorous, for the honor of his own crown, when our juſt titles are competitors, and he lays the conditions of our obedience, upon a great forfeiture, if we don't ſubmit, when called to duty, Mat…h. 10.37, 39.
2. Public Officers.
MAY not the ordained officers in ſome caſes and in ſome churches, be taxed or blamed, for this great omiſſion? Such as out of timidity and diſtruſt, jealous ruling elders, leaſt they ſhould inſtead of colleagues prove corrivals in the exerciſe of their own truſt and authority, for being men not of ſuch deep learning, yet may prove ſo fortifyed with friends, and ſo popular, as that they may be capable to over-top men of greater learning, and wiſer principles of conduct in all adminiſtrations.
Now if any of Chriſt's churches, are vacated of this officer, by ſuch jealouſies as theſe, or of the like nature, can the officers be without blame? and if ſo, then whether the firſt born ſon may not juſtly imprecate future barrenneſs on his own mothers womb, for fear leſt he ſhould be ſupplanted of the inheritance, by the next ſon or brother born of the ſame ventre?
2dly, Such officers as may plead their own particular conſcience and perſwaſion, againſt the office, as being of a doubtful original, or of an uncertain inſtitution, and therefore make bold to over rule our plain precept for it and the church ſubmits: whether is there not a great blame here?
It ſeems apparent by all rules of order and government, that this is too too ſovereign in the one, and too ſervile and careleſs in the o…her.
For that no officer's particular conſcience muſt be a rule to govern any particular church, contrary to the churches own law, or rule of eſtabliſhment; For if it be, then the churches muſt have as many diſtinct charters, and differing books of canons, as their paſtors have differing conſciences; which is a plain in-let to all ſorts of confuſion.
3dly, Such officers who plead the cuſtom of the churches, and ſo make the illegal omiſſions of ſome, a ſanctuary for the ſame fault in others; but whether this plea from cuſtom will hold officers exempt from blame, when weighed in a juſt ballance? Cuſtom is juſtly allowed a great conqueror in the world, it ſubdues whole kingdoms to its empire, and all men ſubmit and adhere to its demands and dictates, as to an oracle? But then it muſt be cuſtom that is honorable, laudable, and uninterrupted, otherways a cuſtom which continually croſſes a plain precept is very culpable, and contracts a long ſeries of guilt, and may expect to be purſued with a tedious train of ſad conſequences, altho' it ſhould with much preſumption wipe its mouth and ſay, I am innocent. Therefore cuſtom is no plea in this caſe, but rather renders all who depend upon it, to be reduced to a deſperate poſture in their thoughts and arguments; for tho' there is a cuſtomary omiſſion, that hath prevailed in the churches to a ſad degree, as to this office, yet the omiſſion has all along croſſed a precept, and has been confronted by the cuſtom of other churches in the land, who have attended their duty; ſo that thoſe churches who have maintained the practice, have kept lawful poſſeſſion of the right, and the title being matter of record, and founded in law, there remains no ſhelter here from cuſtom for delinquents.
4. Whether thoſe officers are juſtifiable, who honor the office, yet do honeſtly and uprightly think that the narrow extent of territory may (as to many churches) ſerve as a ſuperſede as to the office? For what need of ſo many great commiſſions in ſo ſmall bodies? But whether ſmall churches have not great work belonging to them, ſufficient to improve a full compleat ſet of officers, and poſſibly, all little enough to do the work well, if the nature and extent of it be rightly conſidered and faithfully managed; for who is ſufficient for theſe things?
3. The churches.
WHETHER the churches, as incorporate bodies, are free from blame when they don't regularly endeavour to compleat themſelves in all offices, and proſecute their claim to this with effect?
The ruling elders are the churches privilege, and a very great right, on which their well-being and ſtability does much depend, and the great omiſſion in the country has probably brought things to that poſture of fickleneſs as we now find them at? Then whether the churches can be exempt from blame, when they ſuffer ſuch vacancies to continue, when it is in the power of their hands to remedy it?
Here indeed is a great queſtion commencing, viz.
Queſtion, Whether any church can poſſibly, and according to rules of order, proceed to elect ruling elders, when other of their officers in actual rule and truſt, ſhall refuſe to call and guide the church in the choice?
I ſhall indeed tranſgreſs the bounds of my own intentions, and the civility of an epiſtle, if I ſhould now undertake a full and compleat anſwer to this queſtion.
I ſhall therefore at preſent only juſt indix the principal titles or heads for anſwer, by pointing briefly at the duties of officers, and the prerogatives of the churches in the caſe.
1. It is moſt apparent through the whole miniſtry of the world (unleſs in abſolute monarchies) that it is the duty of all public officers, to miniſter according to the plain rules of the public ſtate, and not by their own fancy or wills, and ſo in this caſe, the chief ruling officer or officers (then in being) in point of conduct are obliged to lead the church in their opperation, according to the churches plain and ſettled principles, and not reluct becauſe their own perſwaſions do otherwiſe incline them; It is now plainly too late for any officer to pretend conſcience againſt eſtabliſhed rules: This objection ſhould have been made before they had taken office. But now it is out of ſeaſon, for they were elected and ordained to govern the church, not by their own thoughts, as the rule, but by the churches canon, and that by their own conſent, when they took office. And moreover, this is moſt evident, that if ſuch powers which belong to the inſide of mens being, viz. their hearts, fancies, notions, judgments, imaginations or conſciences, call them by what names you pleaſe, or let the owners freely fix the titles (the odds is not great,) now if theſe are to be the rule of churches, then paſtors and ruling officers have (in their degree) as abſolute a dominion over the churches, as the great Turk has over his baſhaws, and other vaſſals.
But I hope none here will claim this dominion. And if not, then let paſtors and teachers do their duty in point of conduct (if the churches are not remiſs in theirs) and this great vacancy may be ſoon ſupplied, and there is alſo a relief for officers, if their juſt prerogatives are any ways toucht by the traverſe.
2dly, To confine the diſcourſe to this preſent example, and t… ſhorten terms, for brevity's ſake, it muſt be granted that any particular officer ſenſible of his duty, that ſhall undertake to gratify and lead the church, in the election and choice, &c. This makes the caſe very eaſy in point of conduct; yea, tho' other officers in the ſame church, if there be any, ſhould either oppoſe or not act. For that any one ruling officer in a church, where they may be many of the ſame nature, he himſelf is vertually the whole college of officers in any office-act that he performs without them. As in civil affairs, a particular executor ſo far ſuſtains the whole executorſhip, as that he can make a valid act in that miniſtry, though many others are joined with him in the ſame teſtament, and yet don't nor won't act with him, in this or that affair, tho' confirmed in their truſt; which principal is founded in the nature of a joint tenancy in general, and in a joint truſt in particular, held by many equals.
3dly, The caſe is very difficult when the ſtanding officers join as one man, and will not guide the church in theſe elections referred to, &c. And I muſt needs ſay, I fear here has been the great bar to this office.
We may from intereſt, as well as duty, rationally ſuppoſe the inclinations of the churches, and the deſires of many of them have been made known by repeated and honorable ſolicitations therein, ſaying to Archipus, fulfil thy miniſtry, Cor. 4.17. And we may alſo affirm, the principle is plain, the office is acknowledged, at home and abroad to be of divine original. But however this is certain it is a formal eſtabliſhment by theſe churches, and not now to be diſputed. Yet the officers pretend, they ſee no reaſon to give way to the churches deſire or demands, neither will they conduct in this caſe, though their duty does oblige, that ſo the church may be compleated in its officers; no! they are pleaſed by acts of a ſuperintending power, to lock the church door, and turn the key againſt this office, and no pleas or perſwaſions can alter their reſolutions. But hereby the officers do plainly abdicate their office, by changing the acts of a limited truſt, bounded by precept into what is meerly arbitrary; ſo in a degree, they break up the relation between themſelves and the church, and by ſuch an eſſential error, ſo contrary to the churches charter, and their own commiſſion they forfeit all at once, tho' lenity and mercy may favor them with a long life; yet in the eye of juſtice they are dead men, if not in nature, yet in law, and upon their OBSTINACY may juſtly be DEGRADED, therefore in ſuch a caſe when it comes to that extremity, the churches may and ought to call in council, and proceed in their work and duty for their own well being, after the manner of an inorganic church, platform, chap. 10. And this I need not ſtand to deſcribe, our platform, the laws of the province, and the practice of the churches in other caſes, and vacancies will do it.
Then whether theſe congregational churches thro' theſe provinces may not juſtly reflect blame upon themſelves, for too ſupine negligent a frame of ſpirit, towards ſo great an intereſt, and ſo noble an office, ſeeing they have ſuch a ſhare in government, and can fairly reſque themſelves and their own rights, by the power and principles of their own eſſence, when their other officers neglect duty?
V. PETITION.
THAT you will pleaſe to reviſe the ſtudy, (and in order to it) a new impreſſion of your platform.
It is very uſual for many gentlemen in your country, landed men, and men of eſtates, every men to keep his law-book by him, as his bible, the bible for the ſolace of his mind, and the law-book for the ſafety of his eſtate, that upon any defamation of title, or other incroachments, when his lands and properties are in hazard, he may know whither to repair for his direction, and how to make his defence. And ſo methinks it ſhould be with the members of the churches as to their ſtated rights by their cannon law? That there ſhould be a kind of a penalty (if the hazard in ſuch a defect be not puniſhment en…ugh) on ſuch delinquents, as live members of Chriſt's viſible kingdom here, and yet live without the platform, the eccleſiaſtical political charter of theſe churches.
I muſt needs ſay, and I wiſh I could whiſper it ſo low, that the eccho might never rebound to Gath or Aſkelon, and yet be diſtinctly heard through theſe churches, That I fear the impreſſion of the platform is almoſt extinct, if not quite worn out in the country. And that as it was ſaid in the day of battle, under king Saul, that there was neither ſword nor ſpear found in the hand of any of the people; …o here, though your bible, which is the ſword of the ſpirit, is in every mans hand, yet poſſibly, this ſpear or neceſſary weapon, in the defence of your goſpel liberties, your platform is ſcarce to be found in the hands of one in a thouſand, thro' all the hoſt of Iſrael. I do therefore adviſe my country▪ and theſe churches, to furniſh yourſelves, and that you would encourage the printers in this deſign, and they can ſoon recruit you.
My honorable and deareſt friends,
If we are puſh't on to battle, and our weapons are then in the oar, we may juſtly ſuſpect we ſhall be but too eaſy and cheap a conqueſt for aſſailants. Therefore furniſh yourſelves in good time with this piece of artillery, that you may be well fix'd and equipt for ſervice.
Don't you hear from the top of yonder proud and lofty mountain, the enemies trumpets, and their drums beating a preparative? Therefore let all the good ſoldiers of Chriſt be compleat in this and all other parts of their armour, and at an hours warning, unleſs you reckon your treaſure not worth defending.
VI. PETITION.
WHETHER it may not be very proper for theſe churches, after ſo long an interval, to admit of this addreſs, viz. That they will pleaſe to meet or repreſent themſelves in a provincial or general ſynod?
That if there be any thing in our church government which may want emendation, that (as they ſay) it may be done, Secundum uſum ſarum, or regularly and according to the manner of theſe churches; or if there be any new forms, needful to be inſerted, or whatever elſe may in a way of order be thought neceſſary for the advance of religion, it may be fairly decided for the ſervice of the whole. And alſo, if it then ſhall be judged prudent, our principles for the ſeiſing, and trial of the more ungovernable, and ſtouter ſort of delinquents and offenders, may be reviſed, and ſomewhat enlarged, that ſo it may be made very eaſy for all particular churches, to make out proceſſes againſt them, and that they ſhall find the churches fetters will hold them. That forever after all ſmall juncto's of men, or particular perſons, member or members of the churches (let their character be what it may be) ſhall be deterred from being ſo hardy and bold as to divulge their pernicious doctrines, and ſeditious ſentiments, with ſuch preſumption, and ſuch hopes of impunity, as ſome of late have done.
Thus, Right honorable and beloved in Chriſt!
I have n…thing more at preſent to add by way of petition to your ſelves, but only that you will pleaſe to take this poor piece of ſervice in good part.
But tho' it be but as a little goats hair, or a badgers hide or two, or ſkins not well dreſt, yet it may be ſome way uſeful for the tabernacle. And tho' it won't ſhelter againſt ſtorms of great ſhot, it may ſerve to cover and ſhield from ſome ſlighter arrows.
But let it be what it may be in every other mans opinion, it is in mine (as to deſign and intention) my love, honor and loyalty to my God, pri…e and country, for whoſe ſervice I was born, according to the received maxim, Non ſoli nobis nati ſumus. And here I pay one part of my debt to thoſe great creditors in ſuch ſpecies as I have; therefore I hope for pardon from, and acceptance with all of them.
My concluſion is with devouteſt application to the ſupream throne, that the almighty God will bleſs the great ANNE, our wiſe and proteſtant princeſs; New-England's royal nurſe, and great benefactreſs, that ſhe may live to ſee all the proteſtant churches thro' her vaſt empire, more virtuous and more united, and as they all meet and center with their differing perſwaſions, by their love and loyal actions in her perſon and government. Let her moſt excellent majeſty, next to Chriſt, continue abſolute in her empire over their hearts, and as ſhe has made ſuch a compleat conqueſt, of all differing parties within her dominions, by her wiſe and virtuous meaſures, and thereby won all the fame of rule and ſoverignity from her royal progenitors, who could never ſo charm ſuch mighty nations. Let her reign continue the exacteſt model for all courts in Europe! and when ſhe is full repleat and ſatisfied with length of days, and the moſt glorious effects of a proſperous reign, let God favor her laſting and flouriſhing name with an unperiſhing monument, on which juſtice ſhall become obliged to inſcribe this m…mento, viz. "Here lies in funeral pomp, the princeſs of the earth, the ſtore-houſe of all enobling and princely perfections," That if all the monarchs on earth, have loſt their excellencies, their arcana imperii, their ſtate, wiſdom, ſkill in government, and all ſorts of heavenly, princely and heroick virtues; here they may be found lodged in this one unparralled MONARCH.
Let God bleſs his excellency, and preſerve the government of the province, and let it continue always in the hands of natives, and let our country, ſucceſſively breed men of ſuch merit, as ſhall always enamor imperial majeſty, with their loyalty and worth; and that their true deſerts may ever purchaſe for them ſuch a high ſtation, whilſt they ſhall plainly out-weigh their rivals in the royal ballance. And let them be always patrons to theſe churches, as an acknowledgement to the crown of heaven, as the ſettled condition of tenure they hold by, and poſſeſs ſuch royal demeſneſs.
Let the great and good God of heaven and earth bleſs theſe churches, the beauty of the wilderneſs, and continue ſo noble a miniſtry as they now have, and proſper and requite their faithful and unwearied labors, and let him continue the ſucceſſion, and furniſh the next ſet with greater accompliſhments and virtue.
Let Chriſt Jeſus, the great ſheppard, who hath the care of the flocks in the wilderneſs, preſerve inviolable, the ineſtimable privileges and liberties of theſe churches; and let them entail them, with all other civil and ſacred rights and immunities which they now enjoy, as a ſure eſtate of inheritance, to the laſt poſterity of this people. And let their children, and childrens children remain from generation to generation, until the world be done with; and the ſun has left ſhining.
So prays, the meaneſt of all your ſervants in CHRIST,
JOHN WISE.