Of CHURCH and STATE.

HERE is a very great Error, and we form to out selves very hurtful and foolish Notions of things, we suppose the Church and State to be Two Things, and in all our Discourses name them at Twice, whereas they really are but One: for the Church is in the State, or ra­ther is the State; for when the Nations of the World at first became Christian, and receiv'd the Faith of Jesus, they became better Nations, and the Inhabitants better People, having receiv'd better Maxims and Principles, but still the same People; and they stood in Statu quo, as to all Power or Administration of their Affairs. The Religion which [Page 20]came amongst them, made no alteration of Things, but for the better, gently infusing it self with as little noise as Rain on a Fleece of Wool: its Ministry was of Grace and Godliness, and not of Empire and Dominion; it claim­ed no Power, being it wanted none; its whole Design and Drift relating to things of another World, or ten­ding to promote Peace and Godliness in this; and happy had it been for Christendom had its Nations and States on­ly been called Christian, and its Princes looked on this Religion only as good Qualities in their Subjects, tending to promote Obedience and Peace in their Kingdoms, and gave it an Establishment on this Account: And the so much celebrated Name of Church, had never been heard of in the Nature it has been used. Also when they sent Judges to minister Justice to their Subjects, had they with them sent Ministers to Preach the Gospel, and con­tinued it in such a sort of way to this Time, I am per­swaded the Author would never had occasion to write Expedients for Peace at this day. But here lay their Mi­stake, seeing its Ministry was of Grace and Godliness, and not of Empire and Dominion, they looked on the thing in them, as divided from them; and would needs give it a new Name, and invest it with Power, which though little at first, by degrees rival'd their own, and since has jostled many of them out of their Thrones: And now they have Leasure to Repent themselves of their bad Logick, in dividing the Accidents from their Sub­jects and setting up Non entities. For the Church is no­thing at all, a mere Metaphysical Term; and when Chri­stian Princes Govern their People well, they Govern the Church well: for the Church is in the People, or rather the People are the Church. But if they set up a Re­giment or a Government in their Kingdoms distinct from their own, they do but Nurse a Viper in their own Bo­soms, and they cannot in Reason expect their Crowns [Page 21]should ever sit easie on their Heads amidst the unavoi­dable Emulation of two distinct Governments. The Church and State are a Christian State, and but one, and so at first appointed by the God of Heaven, and what God hath joyned, no man ought to put asunder. And I humbly conceive, that Men professing Christianity, ought to have no distinct Government from the State, I am sure they were much better Christians when they had none. The Apostles propagated the Faith of Jesus in the Gentile World, and the Ecclesiae, or Assemblies, con­greated to perform Acts of Devotion in the way which they had Taught, are called Churches; and when we read of the Churches of Asia, or of this or that Church, nothing else is to be understood but the Congregation of Believers met to pay Homage and Worship to their Maker in the Name of Jesus; which was done in a plain and simple Manner, never enterfering with, or disturb­ing the Government of the Place. Neither Power, nor Policy or Skill, can be needful for a few honest and inno­cent Men, to meet together in a peaceable manner to Worship God, all the Requisites in such a Case, are on­ly a Sincere Heart, and a Willing Mind: What need we then so much Ecclesiastical Policy and Church-Go­vernment? Or if we must have it, why must such Frames and Machines be called the Church? This is to call the Scaffold, the Building. But after all, 'tis most certain, that only True Believers and good Livers are the Stones which make up that Heavenly Building, and are the on­ly True Church of Christ, against which the Gates of Hell shall be never able to prevail.

But we talk of setting up or pulling down Churches, in as material a Sence, as when we Erect or pull down Houses; and one laments the pulling down such a rare Established Church, and mightily opposes the Building of another, and we all think our own Cottages, Pallaces; [Page 22]and are always commending our own Church, and dis­commending anothers; and such a stir we make about our Churches, that makes us Ridiculous to all the World; and no wonder Christendom has been so long Embroiled, since we have had so many Churches, that is, so many Oc­casions and Causes of Disturbance.

There is but One God, one Christ, one Faith, one Bap­tism, one Religion, and but one Church; and the several Perswasions, make but one Religion; and several ways of Worship and distinct Congregations but one Church: But we call the Parts the whole, and a single House a Town, and are in a continual Alarm in Defence of our little Respective Cittadels. And to that height of Abuse is the Name of Church now Grown; that to be of This or That Church, is to compound for a good Life; and Men think if they belong to such or such a Communi­on, all will go well with them; and having so many Parties amongst us, and so many Interests to be served, the necessity of proselyting Men to their side, rather than to Goodness or Truth, doth but too much contribute to it; and some Guides are but too willing to indulge Men in their Vice, so they will but be of their Par­ty: But hower we may value our selves, one for being of this Church, and another for being of that; I am afraid if we live not good Lives, we shall be found at last to be of no Church at all. Our Saviour tells us, he that doth Righteousness, is Righteous; and that the Tree is known by its Fruit; if we Live well, we shall be of God's Church, and if we Live ill, we shall cer­tainly be out of the Church: however we may be admit­ted by Men with the greatest Solemnity and Ceremony in­to that Society we call by that Name. Templum Domini, Templum Domini, was the Cry of the Jews, and now is the Cry of the Christians, and sufficiently abused by both. We all know the Fate of theirs, and the Reasons; [Page 23]and in knowing this, we may easily Calculate the Fate of our own: For their Temple and our Church exactly answer one another, I mean our Political Hierarchical Church; The Constitution of which, is fixed in a Diametri­cal Opposition to Publick Peace, and we can never expect Peace to flourish in Christendom, so long as one Stone of this ill-built Fabrick doth lie upon another. Then in order to the Pulling down this Mystical Babel,

I here most solemnly declare and protest against all the Present Constitutions and Ecclesiastical Corporations of Christendom, as injurious to Publick Peace and Tranquili­ty, and very much disserving all Temporal Government, thwarting and crossing the just Designs of Princes, and on all Occasions ministring to Faction, Sedition and Re­bellion, and against all differing Sects and Divisions of Christians whatsoever, which are any way endowed with Immunities, Priviledges, or any Temporal Power, Preferment or Benefices, independant of the State. And since all the Princes and States of Christendom are in a Fermentation and Motion, 'tis my Opinion, that if they would (after an Act Passed for the Relief of the Pre­sent Incumbents) seize all Temporal Endowments and Be­nefices appropriated to Religion or Churches, and dissolve and make Null all Ecclesiastical Decrees, Canons, Charters and Constitutions, They would do the greatest Service to Christianity, Publick Peace, and Themselves, as ever has happened to the World, since the first Propagation of so Holy a Religion. Ouc agathon polycoironie, &c. saith the old Poet; which with deference, I interpret, One Go­vernment, and one Power in a Nation, is enough. But if Ecclesiastical Government must go down, some like Saul, will be for saving Amaleck and the best of the Cattle, their Wealth and Riches: To which I answer, these must not be saved, for Dominion and Power are insepara­ble to Wealth and Riches; therefore these must be sa­crificed, [Page 24]before God's Wrath can be appeased, or Peace be settled in our Israel. But in Answer, methinks I hear a great noise of Profaneness, Sacriledge, and the Ruine of of all Religion, but I shall be deaf to the Objection, since in plain truth, the English of it is no more Then Great is Diana of the Ephesians. For Religion would not at all be in hazard or concerned in so great a Change, but would be purified and cleansed, and appear much more amiable and Eligible, it would but divest her of her sordid Rags, knock off her Fetters, and leading her out of the Squalid Prison of Terrene and Temporal Mixtures, cloath her with Royal Robes, and restore her to her Throne and Dig­nity.

The Religion of the Holy Jesus is (God be thanked, at this time of the Day) so well propagated, that there is no danger of its being lost, if Honours, and Preferments, and all Secular Advantages be discharged her Retinue, and secluded her Family: For they make no Constituent or Essential Parts of her, but are things which her mistaken but well-meaning Votaries have given her, to Adorn and Bedeck her, but really have disguised and deformed her. For her Government and Empire is over, nay in the Hearts and Consciences of Men; teaching them to live good Lives, and to follow the Example and Precepts of the most Ho­ly Author, whose Life and Doctrine was a of spiritual Nature, abstracted and separate from all Vain Glory, Pomp and Splendor, who did utterly Renounce the di­viding of Inheritances, and publickly declare his Kingdom was not of this World.

His Religion therefore ministring in the Affairs of his own Kingdom, viz. of Heaven, Grace and Glory, ought to be kept separate and pure, and not mixt with the Things and Powers of this World. The English of Mil­le per Ann. is not taking up the Cross, nor does Grace and Godliness eccho right to Honours and Revenues. Faith, [Page 25]Hope and Charity are Fundamentum, Paries & Tectum; The Foundation, Walls and Roof of Christ's True Church upon Earth; other Structures which we call Churches, are nothing at all, and if we can procure Means, or get Builders to rear this Heavenly Fabrick, implant these Es­sential Qualifications in the Hearts of Men, our Work is done. The old Building must come down, and the old Builders must be rejected, who have built with untem­pered Mortar; have mixt Temporals with Spirituals; in­stead of Humility and Charity, have put Pride and Ambi­tion; and in the room of Mortification and Self-denyal, have placed Wealth and Honours, and have fenced all a­bout with a High Wall of an usurped Power and Autho­rity. Other Measures therefore must be taken, and a new Administration exhibited, since most of what hither­to have been taken, must be acknowledged to be mistaken, and not calculated for publick Peace.

Christ has been Preached indeed, Grace Administred, and Souls Saved; but the Manner and Method of Admini­stration has been irregular and unhappy, Ministring rather Matter of Disturbance, than [...]ny Advantages to the Af­fairs of Princes and Governme [...] of the World. The ma­ny unhappy Monarchs disturbed in their Measures of Go­vernment, by strugling Parties, and contending Churches, abused by Ambitious and Discontented Bishops; especially by him who is so notorious, and has so often Signalized himself by Affronting Crowned Heads, and perplexing their Affairs, are sad Instances, and but too easily Verifie the Charge.

And for the several Forms and Ways of Discipline and Administration, however all Parties and Sects of Christi­ans pretend they find them in the Scriptures; They are no more able to find them there, than they are able to find the several Figures of Birds, Beasts and Fishes in the Heavens, which the Astrologers tell us are there. They may find faint Resemblances indeed, but no Plain and self-evident [Page 26] Schemes: The Reason is, because none is of Ab­solute Necessity to Salvation, and we must entertain very mean and low Thoughts of the Goodness of the: All-wise Being, to let poor Mortals ramble in the Dark for so many Ages, and subject them to an Eternal Search and wrangling about Schemes and Forms of Government of his Church. If any at all had been absolutely necessary, his Blessed Son, who came to Reveal all his Will, would have fixed it as plain as the Sun in the Firmament, that it should not be in our Power to mistake: And if no Church-Government at all be necessary, then it follows of Course, that no particu­lar Way or Model is necessary; and indeed if we consider things narrowly, a Coat may as well be made for the Moon, as any particular Way be prescribed. The Flux and Reflux, and infinite uncertainty of humane Affairs, will not admit of it; as long and as often as Men sin, they must be Punished, but this cannot be done, unless there be Disturbances, and setting up and pulling down King­doms, Nations and Families; and since it is necessary there should be so great Changes, what particular Scheme can be drawn to fit all Circumstances? But some will send me to the Apostles and to the Primitive Times: But to this I answer, That what they might then prescribe, ought not to be drawn down for a President to these Times. The Church then was under Heathens and Persecutors, and but in its Infancy, and if we take their Measures, we put a Childs Coat on a Man's Back, which is but an ill sight; but yet it is done by us, and is a Folly we are so fond of, that neither the Inconveniences we labour under, nor the just Derision we incur thereby, can make us forego. We find indeed in the Scriptures, Episcopi, Presbiteri, Diaconi, but not exhibited to us in such commanding and indispensible Terms, as to pass an Obligation and Necessity on all Ages of the Church, and all Mankind, to have the same. But if Men useful, serving the Same Purposes and Ends, and [Page 27]more Conducive to Publick Tranquillity in these latter A­ges of the World, after so great a Change of Circumstan­ces and Corruption of Manners, by the Supream Power of any Nation shall be thought fit to be chosen, no matter whether they have the same Names or no, or any Names at all, so they serve the same Ends; for the Business of Christianity is not a thing of Names and Titles, but a Substantial Thing, productive of Holiness, Piety, and Charity: And whatsoever Person or Thing which may be thought Fit and Convenient to promote her Interest, and Minister to her Necessity, may without Scruple be adopted into her Family. And all Present Methods of Government and Ways of Administration, if found disserving the Ends of Publick Peace and True Religion, may be innocently dis­solved, and new ones Chosen, according to the Wisdom and Discretion of the Supream Power. And the Reason is, because all Offices and Functions Ecclesiastical, and all Me­thods and Ways of Administration in the Religion of the Holy Jesus, make no parts of it, but are Extrinsecal to the Nature of the thing, therefore may be changed or alter­ed on the forementioned Account.

The greatest Opposition to this will be made by those who pretend to their Functions by a Commission from Heaven, and by a Divine Right; but these are of two sorts. The first I believe will quickly lay down their Pretensions, when the Grandeur of the Church is Diminished, and her Power, her Law, and Riches, are taken away; The latter, who may be innocently Abused, and think themselves under an indispensable Obligation of Preaching the Gospel, must be let alone, there is no Remedy for them but Time, which 'tis possible by degrees may let them see their Error, and lessen their High Thoughts of their Fitness, and sufficiency of undertaking so great a Charge. But however it may happen, the Predication of no Pretenders can affect the Publick Peace, when both Law and Power to do hurt, are taken from them, and the Matter and Subject of their [Page 28]Discourses are purely spiritual, and relating to the things of another World.

But by way of Recapitulation, & in order to a Conclusion. The Foundations to be laid for a New Settlement, are, First,

The Impossibility of Agreement, and Innocency of Differences.

Secondly, That the Church be converted into a Christi­an State, that she needs no Law, no Power, or Revenues.

Thirdly, That whatever Forms or Ways of Administra­tion in Religion, or the Church, hath hitherto been used, may innocently and lawfully be changed. Then the Plain and necessary Consequences will be these:

When Agreement is Impossible, Men will cease to attempt it; and when Differences are made Innocent, the infinite variety of Understandings and Apprehensions of Men will be no more hurtful or offensive, then their different Fa­ces: When there is no Government, all Contentions which is the right, will cease; and where there is no Law, there will be no Transgression, and by consequence no Delinquents to be punished; and when there is no Power, there will be no danger of abusing it; And how soon shall we see the the flames of Contention cease, when the combustible Fu­el of Wealth, and Power, and Honours, are taken away? But further, At the very sound of impossibility of Agree­ment, a cessation of all Controversies must necessarily en­sue, and this Doctrine doth presently summon all the most skilful and learned in the Art of Wrangling, to lay down their Arms and live Peaceably; and how happy must the Christian World be, when rid of such Seditious Cap­tains, that so long have disturbed her Peace? Then the Do­ctrine of no Government, is not less Advantageous and Be­neficial; for at one breath it tumbles down all Ecclesiasti­cal Hierarchies, and gives ease to the groaning and misera­ble Potentates of the Earth; it answers all the Prayers of the Saints for many Ages; and like a voice from Heaven, or the Trump of God, Tumbles down the mighty Man of [Page 29]Sin, or Whore of Babylon, from her Throne: And me­thinks I see the Princes of the Earth already in Council against her, to pull down her Pride, and divest her of her Power, which so long has been used against them: Then for Law, that being banished, Christian Men would then begin to look Innocently, and the great Machine of Perse­cution and Rapine would fall to the Ground; Wicked Men would have no pretence to exercise their Cruelties, and the Earth would no more Groan and Cry out for Ven­geance for the Blood of Saints, Martyrs, and Professors, that has been spilled upon her: 'Tis these Laws that are the sharp Teeth with which Christians devour one another; they might Dispute and Argue with Innocence and Safety, were but these Weapons lay'd out of their way, which they too often snatcht to compleat the Victory, and to the ruine of each other.

But by this time men will say my design tends to unhinge all Governments, to destroy all Laws, and to make no­thing but Confusion in the World: To this I answer, That there was Darkness before Light, Confusion before Order, and whoever will have a new House, must have some trouble in the building, and endure the Inconvenien­cies of puling down the old One: But this is not suffici­ent, but in further answer to the Objection, I desire to have it observed, That the Christian World is in Confusion already, that I make no disturbance, but find it; that I cannot Confound them more then they are already Con­founded; that Governments are unhinged, and Laws broke, and Princes in Arms, ready to destroy one another, and one of the principal occasions is Religion; therefore some great thing is the matter; 'Tis either in the Religion itself, or in the Managery and Administration of it; the first I acquit; the latter I lay my Accusation against, and charge the Administrators with assuming Power and making Laws, and Erecting a Mock Government, [Page 30]which has Ruined and Confounded the State, and all True Laws and True Governments: I therefore shall take the Liberty to move and suggest some Conside­rations for a New and Better way of Administration; and I hope my undertaking will find a Favourable Acceptance amongst all good Men.

Then the Administration of the Religion of the Holy Jesus, may be divided into two parts, Ordinary and Extra­ordinary; the Ordinary, which consists of Prayers and Prai­ses, and Dispensations of Charity, to be Perform'd by ordi­nary Men; I hope it will not be deny'd me, but that Men in Common are capable of performing such things, after some few Lessons taught them of the nature and attri­butes of the Being they are to Petition and Adore; other Requisites are only a Sence of their Wants, and Mercies received, which almost naturally will make them both Eloquent and Grateful. As to their meeting together, this will require no great Art or Subtilty, nor will the Time and Place meet with greater Difficulty: Wherever Two or Three are gathered together in my Name, saith our Sa­viour, I will be in the midst of them; there is neither Time and Place mentioned, nor the Quality or Capa­cities of the Persons to meet, but all runs in an indefinite Manner. By two or three, either may be meant so many, in a literal Sence, or a certain Number for an uncertain, but however a posse to congregate, or gather together, must necessarily be implyed and allowed to Men in common, from this indefinite Text. And notwithstan­ding all the great noise of Disagreement, Dissenters and Schismaticks, if Men can agree so to meet together to pay Homage to the great God in the Name of Jesus, their Agreement is sufficient, and here is a Blessing pro­mised them from this plain Text, which I hope will be sufficient to discharge me from the Reproach of an Inno­rator. As for their Matter and Way, &c. God must be Judge [Page 31]of it, and not Men. Let there therefore be given to Men a Power to Congregate, and in their Respective Congregations, let them choose what Men they think fit to dispence their Charity, and to be Judges of the Lives of their Fellows, so as to Expell them their Con­gregations if Occasion require. Let them call these men by what Names they please. But let there be no Laws amongst them, but those of Reverence and Respect, of Shame and Fear, which are the best and only Laws which Chri­stians ought to have in their Oeconomy. But if they break these gentle Bonds, Then Currat Lex, let the Secular Power take Place. This for the ordinary part of the Administration to be performed by ordinary men, or men in Common. As for the Extraordinary, which is the Ad­ministration of the Word and Sacraments, to be performed by Men separated, and of better Capacities, let it be thus:

When the Supream Power of each Christian Nation, have set themselves in Statu quo, dissolved all Ecclesia­stical Governments, and resumed from the Church her usurped and destructive Power and Revenues, (the first must be never given her again, the last put to better U­ses.) Then I say let them build and Erect in the midst of each Respective Nation, Magnum Collegium Christia­num, a large Christian Colledge, and Endow it with such Priviledges and Conveniences, as may be thought fit and Proper, &c. Then let the Wisdom of each Na­tion, (after having asked their Willingness) choose a considerable number of Youth, of the hopefullest Constitu­tion of Body and Mind; and after publick Addresses made to the Living God, by Fasting and Prayer, for an auspicious Election, let Lots be Cast, and on whom the Lots do fall, let them receive an Order from the State, to Enter into the said Colledge, to Fit and Qualifie themselves to be Preach­ers and Ministers of the Gospel; and after such a Term [Page 32]of years continuance, as shall be thought fit, let a certain number be brought forth; and the question of Willingness being asked, and Addresses made to Heaven, as afore-said, let Lots proportioned to the National Wants be cast, and on whom the Lots do fall, let a convenient and honourable Al­lowance be setled, and let them receive their Commission from the State, to Preach the Kingdom of Heaven, and Jesus Christ Crucified, and Minister the Word and Sacraments in a plain, decent, and orderly manner, as near as possible they can to the first Institution: And when the Judges set out in the King or States Name, to distribute Justice, and determine Law, let them also per Order of the King or State, Preach the Kingdom of Heaven and the Gospel, in the same Itinerant and Circular manner, through all the Ci­ties and Towns of each Respective Kingdom, instructing the People in the most pure Doctrine and Belief of the Holy Je­sus, and in all the most Necessary and Fundamental Points of his Religion (a definition of which, 'tis possible, Volente Deo, may be the Subject of another Discourse) and let their Subjects be levelled against Sedition and Rebellion, Exhibit Peace in its best Apparel, Extoll Justice, Mercy and Cha­rity, and whatever may tend to the Glory of God, or Peace and Well-fare of Man-kind, and not at all to meddle with Law, the State, or Government; always remembring they are not appointed Ministers of State, but of the Gospel. And if a distinct performance was allotted for such and such a Cir­cuit, it would not do amiss, viz. Instructing and Proselyting for one, Baptizing for another, and giving the Sacrament for a Third, or varying these, as may be thought most fit and convenient, doubling the first, or intermitting the last: Or if from the said Colledge, having Twelve Gates, they should go out every Month and Heal the Nations (which Scripture indigitates) nothing can be thought of more convenient. This way and method, I hope, will easily be allowed me to be sufficient for the Salvation of Souls; and would but [Page 33]the Princes and States of Christendom consent to settle such an oeconomy, the plain Consequences thereof would be,

Popery, that wicked thing, so much hated and abomina­ted by Protestants, not only for its own innate Evils, but also its Collateral and Accidental ones; being the com­mon Tool which all Parties use to set up, or pull down one another, would in a moment be buried in Oblivion; and Heresy, its Twin and Brother in Iniquity, would be bu­ried in the same Grave. A new Heaven and a new Earth would suddenly appear; all the Disturbing Names of Pa­pists and Protestants, Schismatick and Heretick, would speedily cease; we should have no Sides nor Parties of Christians; no bitter Contentions which is the True Church; the Indefatigable Pains of compassing Sea and Land to make Proselytes, would be at an end, and all the mischievous Consequences attending thereon: Now all Sides and Parties are Industrious to make Converts, and give their Reasons and Arguments, and yet at the same time Interpretatively would not have them taken, for none meets with greater Shame and Ignominy then Con­verts, who if they obey their own, or are convinced by others Reasons, are said to change their Religion (as they call it) and are hated and abhorred; so that men in a great measure, are under an obligation to stick to their Principles, whether they be good or bad, because of the Reproach they of necessity must meet with if they change them. And alas! These which they call their Principles and Religion, are nothing but some fond and unnecessary Opinion, which may be changed and no hurt at all done. But then men would have no Temptation to change, ha­ving no Party to go to, no Sect to maintain, and no par­ticular Church to defend; which are the common Themes of Christian men, and at this time make but too great Part of their Religion, and too frequently mini­sters matter of their Mutual Ruine. Again, Now most of our time is spent in commending our selves and our [Page 34]way, and discommending others, & their way; and Three parts of our Religion, is made up of nothing but Vapour and Smoke, of mere Talk and finding of Faults; if we can charge and accuse, and make others Guilty, and our selves Innocent, 'tis Religion enough: And amongst so many contending Parties of Christians, 'tis almost impossible any Justice should be done, the Spirit of Partiality so reigneth amongst us: But Terras Astraea Revisit. Then Justice would run down our Streets like a mighty Stream, and all the Parts, the Piety, and Learning, at least wise Honesty, which is certainly amongst most Parties of Christians, would have their due Effects, and appear in their own pro­per Colours, when cleared from the Foggs and Mists of Contentious Disputes, which confines them to their proper Orbs, and will not suffer them to be Communicative, or dis­perse their Rayes, but give a dim and partial Light. Fur­ther, Now no Oath can bind, no Benefits oblige, no Prince Reign, but all the most Sacred Bonds of Grati­tude, Honour and Obedience, and every other thing which may make men wish to Live, are violated and broken asunder, if Religion, or that which men call by that Name, stand in Competition, or Mother-Church is to be served; and men pull down Houses, tumble down Monarchs, and ruine Kingdoms for her sake. Sure then those must be happy days, when no particular Religion or Church is to be set up, nor any to be pull'd down, no Party to be pleased, and none to be offended, but every Nation will be all of one Side, one Party, and the same Religion: And of how great Refreshment and Consola­tion is it, to think that that hot and fiery Zeal which has burnt so many Martyrs, and consumed so many Pious and Good men, nay, destroyed the Lord of Life himself, shall be absolutely and for ever quenched in the Springs of this most Charitable and Refreshing Fountain, which from the Heart of each Respective Kingdom shall be con­stantly running, and refreshing the dry and barren Cor­ners [Page 35]of the same; and like so many Rivulets of Oyl, shall pass through the great Ocean of the World, and Heal, and Cleanse, and Purify, but not mix with the same: But what should I say?

The Happiness which this Administration will most certainly bring into the World, cannot be well expressed, it will bring back the Golden Age, and presently put a new Face on all Affairs; it will joyn Justice and Mercy, Truth and Peace together, in such an inseparable Bond, that all the Malice and Subtilty of the Grand Impostor (who is now going to his Prison) shall not be able to unloose.

First, The Man of Sin will be pulled down, and we shall hear no more of the Bloody Machinations of Rome, the Cruelty of the Spanish Inquisition, the Barbarity of French or Irish Massacres, nor of the Unnaturalness of English and Scotch Rebellions, no Holy Leagues or Solemn Leagues and Covenants, or Associations, will be heard of amongst us; but Christendom from an Aceldama, will be made like the Garden of Eden, or Paradice of God; and every Nation have its Tree of Life, or Fountain of Living Water in the middle, which by its constans Irrignous Streams, will cool all Heart and Animosities, and bring all in Subjecti­on to the Gentle Laws of the Holy Jesus: But further, We shall hear of no Plots or Contrivances, or Black and Bloody Charges and Misrepresentations, all Noise of Persecution or flying for Religion, the Prorestants from France, or Papists from England, will cease; no Here­tick to be Burned, or Schismatick to be Ruined; and the reason is, because all Law, and Power, and Parties, Names of Distinctions, and all other Causes and Cursed [Page 36]Motives of Mischief and Distraction will be utterly Abo­lish'd, and cast into the same Dungeon with the great Criminal and Deviser of them. But my Contemplation still carries me further, in Congratulation of the Prin­ces of Christendom on this Alteration; How easy must be their Government, and how happy their Days, when the heavy Ecclesiastical Yoke is taken from their Shoul­ders? When they may be served by all their Subjects, when they may punish single Offenders, and not offend whole Parties, when there are no Parties to be pleased or displeased, and none to be Inflamed against the Govern­ment by discontented States-men? And since some will be Lords, keep the Power to oppress, and give no Tolera­tion to men of differing Thoughts and Apprehensions, This method will set them on a level with their Brethren, and there will be no need that Toleration should be either gi­ven or taken; and Then they may reckon their Crowns to set much surer on their Heads, when none have a priviledge or pretence to offend on the Score of a Tender Conscience: But in a more particular manner, as to our own Nation and present Circumstances, a considerable body of us are for a Church of England, a Religion Established by a Law, for Bishops, for Ecclesiastical Go­vernment, Conformity, and a National Church; others we have who are a no less considerable body, which we call Dissenters (though indeed all are Dissenters one from another) and these would have no Bishops, no Ecclesia­stical Government, or Lordships, or Temporal Dignities conferred on Spiritual Men, and no Superiority of Functi­ons in the Ministry of the Gospel, but would have Pastors, and Elders, and Deacons; and in short, another differing way of Administration. Again, The first, which we call Church-men, and the others which we call Dissenters, are divided and sub-divided, and have several Denominations and Classes, and Distinctions amongst themselves; one are for Moderation and Condescention; another for [Page 36]Strictness, and the Bigotted to their Law and Establish­ment, &c. Some again are for a National, some for a Synodical, and others an Independant Church; some draw one way, and some another, and all would have their own little. Way and Method prevail, so that we are per­fectly Distracted and Confounded, and can come to no Settlement or Agreement, only we all agree in this, to call our selves by one general Name; and that is not Christian, but Protestant. We all protest against Popery, a Name for another sort of Christians, which possess several Kingdoms and Nations, which we call our common Ene­mies. Now

Was but these Angeli Evangelizantes, these Gospel An­gels or Ministers of the Gospel, instituted and appointed in each Nation as afore-said, to go their Stages and Cir­cuits:

First, As I said before, we should have no Popery, and by consequence no Protestants to Protest against it; and all our Names of Distinction so destructive to our selves, when cast into such an Avarage, would be perfectly lost; we should have no Contentions for Offices, Dignities, or Superiority, the Lot would give an equal Title and Privi­ledge to all. Hitherto the Ministers of the Gospel has been appointed by Men, so has been corrupted and forced to serve the ends of Princes, of several Parties; and ill-design­ing Polititians, Has been mixt with all our Governments, and clog'd with Humane Inventions and Traditions; but by This Method God Himself would choose his Ministers: and then from Humane and Earthly, it would presently be­come Heavenly and Divine; all the Sinister Arts to get Church Preferment (so destructive to publick Peace and Truth) would fall to the Ground; the Doctors would cease to Flatter the Court to get Bishop-Pricks; and Le­cturers, their Parishoners or Patrons to advance their Sti­pend; it would be put out of the Power of Ignorant Pa­trons to prefer Ignorant Novices to the Ministry, or Igno­rant [Page 38]Parents a weak and unfit Boy for the University; Nay, it would be put out of the Power of Princes and States themselves to give Preferment, or make Ministers, and so by consequence (as they have but too much done) to make what Gospel they please. And we may reasonably hope, that Truth will then be a Virgin, and appear in her Native Beauty, when Honours, Lordships, and great Revenues, the common Temptations to Deflower and Disguise her, are taken away, and it will not a little contribute to pub­lick Peace, when all Denials, the common Parent of Dis­content are removed; But what may be as great an In­ducement as any to move a Complyance hereto by all our Sides and Parties, is, That whereas they would all have their own ways to be preferred, This Method will make no Party ei­ther upper or under, but will pull all in general down, and set none in particular up, so will prevent all Emulation, and give none of them reason to Complain.

From what hath been said, it may reasonably be expected, that the perplexed Nations of Christendom should hearken to so excellent an Occonomy, especially the settleing Pa­triots of our own distracted Nations; and in hearkening to it, they will but hearken to the plain Precept and Advice of their Blessed Lord and great Legislator. For his Words are these, All Power is given me in Heaven and Earth, go ye therefore and Teach all Nations, Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Chost; Teaching them to Observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always even to the END of the World. As if he had said, May be some may question your Power and Authority to Preach my Golpel; or 'tis possible you your selves may think my Commission not sufficient, but expect to receive your Power and Commission from the Princes of the Earth; But I tell you it is sufficient, and that I have Received all Power, both in Heaven and Earth, Go ye therefore and Teach all Nations, &c. In which Words our Blessed Lord doth seem plainly to Dictate to the whole [Page 39]World, how he would have his Gospel dispensed; and that in every minute Circumstance, viz. First, The man­ner, they must go and Teach, which doth plainly imply an Itineration; then whom, they must Teach all Nations. Secondly, The Duty of these Predicants in the matter, what they must do, Baptize and Teach them to Observe all the Things he has Commanded. And lo I am with you always even to the End of the World. This plainly implies the Con­tinuation, how long he would have this Method conti­nue, viz. for ever, to the End of the World; and is con­firmed by a promise of a Blessing on the due performance thereof. But here let me Note, that the Princes of the Earth, though Idolatrous and Pagan, had all the right and legal Power in ordinary; and that both our Saviour ac­knowledged, and the Apostles well knew, but not being Proselyted to his Doctrine, would grant no Commissions, or Authorise such Preachers; therefore he himself, as well as they, had Power on Earth (yea all Power in an Extraordinary manner) was fain to use it, and issue out the first Commissions; but the Nature and Intent of these Commissions was not to convey a Power to a sort of men distinct from the State, but was an Act of Necessity; and he had not used any Power, or given his Commissions at all, if the High Priest or Jewish Sanhedrim would have done it. The Princes and States of Christendom therefore since sufficiently Proselyted to the Faith of Jesus; may justly issue out their Que Warranto's against all Ecclesiasti­cal Power, and all Persons whatsoever, who claim any Power, Priviledge, or Jurisdiction jure divino, distinct from theirs, for it peculiarly belongs to them as Nursing Fathers of the Church, to issue out their Commissions, and to say, Go and Teach, &c. 'Tis true, if they send none, or send those that are contrary to Christs Instituti­ons, which instead of giving the Children Bread, will give them Stones; then the Power Lapses, and returns to its Fountain, and Men must Act by vertue of Christs [Page 40]Extraordinary Commission, and have recourse to his spe­cial Power, For Christ must be Preached. Princes ought to have the Preference; but if they neglect their Duty, Renounce their Power, or are so far from command­ing it, that they forbid it; Then God must be Obeyed, ra­ther than Man; as has been the Plea (and a just one too) of all hitherto that have entered on the Function. But further, I desire to take notice of one thing more, and that is of the last Clause of our Saviour's Precept, viz. And lo I am with you always, even to the end of the World. Christ said, his Words were Spirit and Life; but some there are who too much incline to the Letter, and like the old Jews, think the Kingdom of Heaven should come with Observation. They expect a new Material Heaven and a new Earth; and that Christ will come a­gain on Earth personally, and Reign a Thousand Years in great Glory: Those are but Fancies, for the Text seems to be plain, And lo I am with you always, even to the End of the World. First, this plainly implies, the World shall have an end, and then his Willingness, that this way of Ad­ministration should continue so long; and he mentions not the least word of his coming again in the Interim, or that the world shall have Two Ends; which now leaving the world we may reasonably suppose he would have made some mention of, if such things should have come to pass. It seems plainly to me therefore, that there will be no New Material Heaven or Earth, or that Christ will come Personally again to Reign amongst Men, and my Reason is, his own Words, Lo I am with you always, even to the End of the World; not I will be, but I am with you; and what he promised them, was not a Personal, but a Ministerial Presence: A Presence by his Spirit; as if he had said, If you will go and continue to Preach my Gospel amongst all Nations. I promise to Aid you in your Administration, and Assist you by the Influence of my Spirit, and that not for a little Time, but to the [Page 41] end of the World; which Promise he performed, and and that in a special Manner; so long as they continued to observe his Words and Institution. But when Men began to make Merchandize of his Gospel, to Monopolize and to Closet up the Sun-Beams, and to put their Candle under a Bushel; no wonder they fell into such Dark­ness and Confusion, and no wonder he withdrew him­self and the presence of his Spirit from them. If therefore, we expect his coming again, or his more particular Pre­sence in the large Effusions of his Spirit, We must send forth his Light and his Truth, and cease to Sell and parcel out his Gospel: we must draw it out of the Gar­risons in which particular Parties have imprisoned it, and set it on a Candlestick, on a Mountain, that it may be as free as the Air or the Sun-beams: It has been long En­slaved and Enthrall'd; and if we a little view the pre­sent State of Christendom, and consider what Canons, Constitutions and Decretals, what differing Customs, Edu­cations and Prejudices there are, how many differing O­pinions, and differing Interests; the multitude of Ceremo­nies and Traditions, the various Forms of Worship, and Scenes of Government; and how fond every Nation and Party; nay, every individual Man, is of his own Way: It will seem a very difficult Thing, to Extricate and free it from so great a Bondage; but the greater the Work, the more worthy the Author, and more Glory to God. Pharoah kept the Israelites long in Bondage, and was loth to let them go, reaping great Advantages by them, as some do by the Gospel: But when the God of Heaven called for, and demanded them, he was forced to re­store him his Heritage and his Chosen. Christ is now calling for his Gospel and his Saints; and God for his Jews, his antient People and Inheritance; and They will shake the Heavens and Earth, but they will have them. For by Fire and by Sword will they plead with all Flesh, [Page 42]and the Slain of the Lord shall be many. The God of Pleaven has already begun to shake the Nations and is about to fulfil all his Promises made to the Jews and Gen­tiles by the Mouth of all his Prophets. Behold, saith he, Isa. 66 and the 12. I will extend Peace to her like a Ri­ver, and the Glory of the Gentiles like a flowing Stream. Now what can be liker to a flowing Stream, than these Angeli Evangelizantes? These Gospel Angels, which by a constant Flux and Reflux from the Heart of each Nation, will fill the Earth full of the Knowledge of the Lord, as the Waters cover the Sea; No dry or barren Corners shall escape watering from these Fountains, and no dark Recesses the Rays of their Light. But Poor Homuncio, I fall under the Weight, being not able to describe the Advantages of this Oeconomie; I must again call the Prophet to my As­sistance in that Pathetick Description of this Temple of Peace, this new Jerusalem, cap. 65. ver. 17. For behold, I create a New Heavens, and a New Earth, and the former shall not be remembred, or come into mind; But be you glad and rejoyce for ever in that which I Create: For behold, I create. Jerusalem a Rejoycing, and her People a Joy; And I will rejoyce in Jerusalem, and Joy in my People; and the Voice of Weeping, shall be no more heard in her nor the Voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an Infant of Days, nor an old Man that hath not filled his Days: For the Child shall die an hundred Years old, but the Sinner being an hundred Years old, shall be Accursed: And they shall build Houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant Vine­yards, and eat the Fruit of them. They shall not Build, and another Inhabit; they shall not Plant, and another Eat. For as the days of a Tree are the days of my People, and mine Elect shall long enjoy the Work of their Hands: They shall not labour in Vain, nor bring forth for Trouble: For they are the Seed of the Blessed of the Lord, and their Off­spring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before [Page 43]they call, I will answer; and whilst they are yet speaking, I will hear. The Wolf and the Lamb shall feed together, and the Lion shall eat Straw like the Bullock; and Dust shall be the Serpent's Meat. They shall not hurt, or destroy in all my Holy Mountain, saith the Lord. It shall come to pass so and so, say the Prophets; but as yet such things have not come to pass: But this Administration of the Reli­gion of the holy Jesus, not my own, but founded on Ho­ly Writ, will bring such things to pass. it will by its sweet and gentle Influences, soften and mollifie the Rug­gedness of the World, appease the Heavens, and trans­form the Earth, and render it a Paradise, it will set Ju­stice, Truth and Peace, on an unmoveable Foundation; and turn the World in a manner into a Theocracy. For 'tis more than probable, that by degrees it will vacate and su­persede all humane Sanctions, and make them of little Ef­fect, by its prevailing Energy and pacifick Nature; making Love, and Charity, and Christian Condescension, the Principal Rulers of the Ʋniverse. Then will the God of Love, or Truth, and Peace, visit us, and make his abode with us, and rain down his Blessing and Graces upon us, as at the Beginning; and we shall become a Royal Priecthood, a Peculiar People, zealous (not of destroying one another, as at this Day) but zealous of good Works. Ephraim shall no more vex Judah, nor Judah Ephraim Every Prince and Nation shall be content with their own Territory and Borders: The noise of War shall no more be heard of amongst us, our Swords shall be turned into Plow Shares, and our Spears into Pruning Hooks. Zech. 2 vers. 10. Sing and Rejoyce, O Daughter or Sion, for lo I come and will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord; And many Nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day, and shall be my People; and I will dwell in the midst of thee; and thou shalt know that the Lord of Hosts hath sent me unto thee; and the Lord shall inherit Judah, his Portion in the Holy Land, and choose Jerusalem again. Be silent O all [Page 44]Flesh before the Lord, for he is raised up out of his Holy Habitation. And it shall be in that day, that Living Wa­ters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them, (viz. Preach­ers) towards the former Sea, and half of them towards the hinder Sea; in Summer and in Winter shall it be. And the Lord shall be King over all the Earth; In that day shall there be One Lord, and his Name One: The Jews and the Gentiles shall use the same Method and Way of Administra­tion, and send out their Preachers from the midst of their Habitations. But the Question will be asked, how all the present Difficulties will be surmounted? In answer to which, let the same Prophet speak, Who art thou, O great Mountain? Before Zerubbabel (Christ) Thou shalt become a Plain; and he shall bring forth the Head Stone there­of with shouting, crying, Grace, Grace. The Hands of Zerubbabel have laid the Foundation of this House, his Hands shall also finish it. And thou shalt know, that the Lord of Hosts hath sent me unto you. Christ is Alpha and O­mega, the first and the last, the Consideration of which, brings me to my Conclusion; in which I shall vindicate my self from the Charge of Innovation, and say,

The way which I propose, is not a new Way, but the Renovation of an old One: For 'tis the way by which Christianity Entred the World; and therefore the most likely to preserve it; 'tis the way which the Apostles used, which our Saviour practised; he went up and down doing Good, he sent out the Twelve, and the se­venty Disciples; who Preached his Gospel through the Towns and Villages, and then returned to him again. When he was leaving the Earth, by a plain Indigitation, he Recommended this way. 'Tis a way pregnant with all the Felicities can be imagined; 'tis advantageous to all Governments, and friendly to all Societies; 'twill bring Glory to God on High, restore Peace on Earth, and good Will amongst Men.