I Received your Letter, and I have seriously perused the Address, Humbly presented to the Parliament; I like the Title very well, [A Proposal of Ʋnion amongst Protestants] and the Design, in general, cannot but be com­mended: but how well it is inforced from the last Will of the most Reve­rend Dr.Sands, some time a Arch-Bishop of York; and whether that is to be lookt upon as the Sentiment of the first Reformers, will require a farther Examination. In the interim, as once for the Divisions of Reuben, so now for those of England, there are great thoughts of heart; and who knows not, that Peace is a Jewel of great price, and to be purchased at any rate that may reasonably secure the possession of it. This indeed is the Legacy which our dearest Lord hath left to his Disciples: But alas! many of the Legatees have renounced their part in it; because they cannot be allowed to make their own will of his Church and Kingdom. By Peace, our Blessed Lord never intended a Conspiracy against the Rules of Decency and Order: Peace with God, and Conscience, and amongst Brethren, is the Fruit of Righteousness.Isa. 32.17. Righteousness is the Foundation of Christ's Kingdom, and Peace a Superstructure.Rom. 14.17. Now you know 'tis the part of Righteousness, to give every one their due; the best Method therefore to be at Peace, is to become just, that is, to become obedient, and to pay our due respects to [Page 2]the Laws, and to our Superiours. The Author of one Project for the good of Eng­land, tells us, That good Laws, and a just Execution of them (and not Oaths) are the natural and real Security of a Government. I am very much of his mind herein: For to relax the Reins of Government, opens a door to Licentiousness; and that is no good friend to Peace and Unity. Besides, if there can be such a thing as a Rope of Sand, there may be a stupid quietness betwixt the parts, but no solid, useful strength; which depends upon Command and Order, as much as the attra­ctive splendour and beauty of Societies. This, Sir, is one Reason, why the Jesuits so little value the shatter'd Parties of Protestants, that they think them not worth a Consult or Plot, in comparison of the Church of England. Let Autho­rity be own'd as sacred, and the Laws be kept inviolable, and these will prove the best Bulwark of our Peace and Union. Protestants abroad are generally of this persuasion; and if any of our own Communion be otherwise minded, we are to look upon them as loose Stones, that will never stand to support the Building, but rather flinch and slip away to betray it, as occasion serves.

These Dissenters complain of hard measure, heavy burthens, and oppressing yoaks, as if their Persons were imprisoned under hatches, their Estates torn from them under the Harrows of Sequestrators, and their Wives and Children forced to dance a tedious attendance at Goldsmiths-Hall, to make their Composition; whereas, in truth, it is the great advantage some of them reap from thence, which makes them still in love with their gainful Meetings against Authority.

This Apocryphal Anonymus tells us, these Dissenters would do any thing for Peace, only they dare not forsake Holiness, neglect their Duty, nor wound their Con­sciences, by offending God. Sir, if there be not some foul tincture of Malice in these Insinuations, yet are they no less unjust and scandalous, than extravagant. What Law, what Canon, what Rite, or Practice, injoin'd by the Constitutions of this Church; or what Governour amongst us, does oblige them to any such mat­ter, nay that does not charge and fortifie them to do the contrary? As a learned man told those Dissenters, in the days of Queen Elizabeth, With us there is leave for all men to be good, if they will by God's grace endeavour it. Laur. Deios. That the Pope is that Anti­christ, pa. 147. Printed 1590. and Preached at St. Paul's-Cross.

Those desperate Plots, that are on foot against this poor maligned Church, we resent with no less horror than themselves: But while the Pope and his Emissaries, the Jesuits, with their Vassals, are at work to undermine the Foundation, Why do these Dissenters make it their business to assault and batter the Walls and Ter­rets of it? They attempt to blow it up, and these seek to pull it down: they endeavour to extinguish the Name and Essence; and at the same time (as co­operating to her ruin) these labour (at least) to Eclipse the Glory of it. The learned Author,Ibid. p. 178. even now mentioned, had good ground to conclude, That if any thing will bring the Antichristian Yoak upon this Land again, (which God turn far from us) it will be Dissention.

We readily grant, that violent storms should drive the Sheep together; burin such a season, all sober men will think, that the stragling sheep should run into the common Fold, and not quarrel with their faithful Shepherd; nor labour to pluck down that Fold which is their best shelter. We know too, without this na [...]less Informer, That the Red of God should teach us peace and quietness; and having been so many years in the Furnace of Affliction, we should be so throughly melted, as to run easily into one: But whether it be more reason­able that the Church should run into their Conventicles, (which can never be united) or their Conventicles into the bosom of the Church, let wise men judge. This Church of England has been as a Lilly amongst the Thorns; and the dissent­ing Party has been the Rod of God's indignation, to chastise her: but tho the Rod be not cast into the Fire (through the clemency of a gracious Sovereign) vet she like Moses his Bush has been miraculously preserved in the midst of flames; and the right hand of the Most High has been no less remarkable in her Enemies defeat, than in her own happy restauration. Nor is it unknown to the wisely considerative, what Relentings she has had, while they have per­sisted stubborn and inflexible. Nevertheless this officious Advocate craves leave, [Page 3]to beg on their behalf, That what God hath not set up in the Church may he pull'd down; and that rejected, as an Innovation, which is not as old as the Apostles, and and nothing imposed upon Ministers or People, but what hath footing and warraint in the holy Scriptures.

To which I answer, That we have nothing establish'd in our Church, but what God hath set up by general directions and a just authority; nor have we any thing in use and practice amongst us, but what is [in the root and ground of it] as old as the Apostles: nor is any thing imposed upon Ministers or People, but what hath such sufficient footing and warrant in the Holy Scriptures. That the Church hath power to institute external Rites, prescribe Forms, to make Canons and Constituti­ons, to assist her Children, and regulate their Practice in the publick Worship and Service of God, is not onely the unanimous Confession of all Protestant Churches of any creditable denomination; but is exactly consonant to the mind of God, re­vealed to us in his holy Scriptures, where he gives the Church a charge to do all things to edification, and to his glory. To this end he enjoyns her to perform all her holy Offices decently and in goad order. This is God's express command in gene­ral, but his Word hath no where determined the particulars, wherein that decency or order does or shall consist; it follows therefore undeniably, that the Word of God or the Holy Scriptures do suppose or establish a Power in the Church to in­stitute Rules, prescribe Forms, and make Canons to that purpose.

For a clearer Demonstration hereof let us seriously reflect upon these Considera­tions.

1. That Christ and his Apostles intended Unity, and to obtain and preserve that Unity they enjoyned Order and Uniformity in the Churches. Christ's intent is evident in his ardent Prayer, that his Disciples mightJoh. 17. be one, and made perfect in one. And we may read the great Apostle's aim in his earnest conjuring them,Eph. 4.1. to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Rom. 16.17. For there is one body and one spirit, one Lord and one Faith, one Baptism, one Hope of our calling. And elsewhere he is no less vehement; Now I beseech you, Brethren, 1 Cor. 4.17. mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. That Order and Ʋniformity are enjoyned to preserve this Ʋnity is no less evident;1 Cor. 14.40 Let all things be done decently and in order. Order is the Parent of Decency; and to ob­serve the same Rule is to follow Order. Hence the Apostle exhorts the Philippians, Phil. 3.16. Let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same things. And this is the onely way to keep out Schism; whereupon he useth this Observation to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 1.10. Now I beseech you, Brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions amongst you; but that ye be perfectly joyn­ed together in the same mind and in the same judgment. And he tells us to what end he requires this, viz. That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorifie God,Rom. 15.6.even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And upon this account their Order in the Church of Coloss was a Prospect of so much pleasure to him:Col. 2.5. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. For when men begin to break order, they presently grow loose in their Faith both to God and Man.

2. Consider, that the Apostles, at their first Preaching of the Gospel, did not presently establish that Order, which the state of the Church did afterward require. The Church was to be gathered first, and afterwards Orders prescribed how it should be governed. This is evident not onely from those Decrees made in the first Council at Jerusalem, but from the express resolution of S. Paul, Acts 15. 1 Cor. 11.34. the rest will I set in order when I come.

3. Consider, that the Apostle expected such a Settlement should be made by such as were intrusted with the Government of the Church. This is clear from his advice and command to Titus, For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, or left undone. From whence two things may be inferr'd irrefragably; 1. That at his first Preaching of the Gospel S. Paul left some things undone, which in his own judgment were afterwards fit to be done. 2. That he expected the performance thereof from the care of Titus.

4. Consider, that the Apostle gives certain general rules or Canons to direct the Governours of the Church,Instit. l. 3. c. 19. sect. 15. in making such Establishments: such are these, Let all things be done to the glory of God. Let all things be done to edification. Let all things be done decently and in order. Hereupon Mr. Calvin does acknowledge such Eccle­siastical Constitutions to be lawful, as consonant to the Word of God. And Beza ac­counts them celestial and divine, in respect of their foundation and end, which is that general decorum commanded to be observed in God's Worship.

5. Consider, that the Apostle left it to the Judgment of Church-Governours to determine the particulars to be established in such cases. For this cause left I thee (Titus, Titus 1.5. a single person, and at least a Bishop) in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting. David, Solomon, and Jehosaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah, and all godly Princes, made Laws for the Church of God, and were approved: yea, the Laws and Decrees of Nebuchadnezar, of Cyrus, and Darius, were for the benefit of it. And God hath promised, that Kings shall be nursing fathers, and Queens nur­sing mothers, to the Church. And it was truly and worthily said in Queen Eliza­beths time, by that Author before mentioned, That Princes especially serve Christ even in making Laws for Christ. L. Drios p. 162 Now let us lay these Principles together: 1 That the solemn Worship and Service of God cannot be performed without Circumstan­ces, (for of necessity Circumstances must cloath every action under the Sun.) 2. That these Circumstances are to be observed according to the rules of decency and order; and that these rules are to be adjudged and determined by such as are invested with Authority to that effect; it will follow unavoidably, that all Subjects and Members of the Church are obliged in Conscience to obey such Determinations and Establishments. For 'tis most certain, where some are impowered to com­mand, others are enjoyned to obey; else the Power given to Superiours were gi­ven to no effect.Ʋbi supra. Hereupon Mr. Beza does acknowledge, though these Ecclesia­stical Constitutions be humane and mutable, and do not bind the Conscience pro­perly and of themselves; yet if they be just and honest, we are obliged to observe them, as they contribute to the edification of the Church, and that we may avoid scan­dal. Nor want we a better Authority than that of Mr. Beza, the great Apostle gives this charge,Heb. 13.17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit your selves. If you demand how far this Submission does extend, the Apostle has resolved that too to a reasonable satisfaction, Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, [such as are venerable for their gravity and comliness] whatsoever things are just,Georg. Calixt.whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things to do them. I am very confident there is nothing enjoyned in this Church of England, but what is very fairly comprehended within this Latitude of the Apostle.

But this Author goes on with confidence, and tells his Reader, that certainly it cannot be prejudicial to the Church, to yield in those things which she her self calls indiffer­ent; and upon that score are at best (according to his Irreverence) but Chips in Por­ridge, not worth contending for. But in all matters of indifferency we say these Dissenters have the same liberty to comply with, as we have to recede from the use and practice of them. And herein we judge it most convenient and dutiful, both for our selves and them, to conform to the Law and Judgment of our Supe­riours. The Apostle was sometime very tender and yielding in matters of indiffer­ency to the infirmity of new Converts; but it was in favour of such as had been prepossess'd by education and the appearance of a divine Law, and but lately call'd off from the prejudice of such a Dispensation; and this was before such time as Authority had thought fit to determine any thing in the case. But this is not pleadable in Bar to a deliberate and legal Settlement of Rites and Orders for the Discipline and Practice of the Church in after Ages. And I pray remember, it was a thing indifferent, which God himself was pleas'd to make choice of for the tryal and exercise of Man's Obedience. The Law of Nature did not tie up the hands of our first Parents from the Tree of Knowledge; it was but a positive Law, which re­trench'd their Liberty from the use and pleasure of it. And I am afraid it is that [Page 5] forbidden fruit which hath set mens teeth on edge, and makes them at this day so un­apt to relish any restraint in matters of Indifferency. For (to let us see the great Veneration they have for Authority when it is not vested in themselves) they stick not to tell us plainly, that what they have a moral liberty to do, they will there­fore refuse and contradict, because commanded by Authority. But if we duly weight how fatal the Transgression was in the first Instance of that nature, me thinks it should make us dread the Issue; lest (besides what we have contracted from Adam's sin) we should draw a further Guilt upon our selves, by an untoward and unwarrantable imitation.

But this Pius Anonymus is very much mistaken in affirming, it cannot be prejudicial to the Church, to yield to those things which she herself calls indifferent, seeing these Dissenters account them sinful; for herein they willingly renounce their own liberty, that they may prejudge ours; and by this means they become uncharitable to us, and dogmatize themselves into that very Superstition which the Apostle condemns amongst the Colossians, [Touch not, taste not, handle not. Col. 2.2.] That this squeamish refusal of things indifferent is Superstition, we have good warrant from the nature [...]. Plut. de superstitione. of the thing, as well as from the words of the Apostle; for what is Superstition but a vain and anxious observation of things above the [...]. Ibid. common rule and standard as matters of Religion. A superstitious man is a person affected with a vain and superfluous fear of God; Qui metuit ibi Deum offendere, ubi non offenditur, saith Calvin; One that fears to offend God in that wherein he is not offended. [...]. Lexicon Jurid. verbo superstitiosus. And this may consist in Abstention and Omission, as well as in any Addition whatsoever.Si quis contra mandatum Do­mini in solo pane celebraret, esset surperstitio; est enim haec priva­tio superslua. Et licet omissio minas ponat in re quam esse de­beat, animus tamen sic omittendi, plus ponit in voluntate, quam per legem Religionis esse debeat. Mal­derus de Just. & Relig. Tract. 10. c. 7. dub. 1. ad. 4. For Super­stition is a scrupulous excrescence of fear, which grows respectively out of both sides of Religion; if you please you may call it positive or negative. The positive Superstition consists in a scrupulous observa­tion or the doing of something which God hath not commanded, or (if once he had) has now abolished. Of this kind of Superstition mention is made by the Apostle in divers places, and particularly Gal. 4.10, 11. Ye observe, days, and moneths, and times, and years: I am afraid of you lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. The Ob­servation ofErat enim legalis Observantia jam olim pro tempore Religio, de­inde facta est Superstitio. Ambr. Cathar. ad Col. 2.18. Times, Rites, and Ceremonies, matters of Indifferency in their own nature, when obtruded upon us as part of God's Wor­ship, as matters of Religion and Merit, as necessary to Salvation, as Duties of Holiness and Righteousness, as obligatory to Consci­ence of their own nature, this is determined to be Superstition. But when they are enjoyned to preventSee the 20th. of the Queen's Injunctions. disorder, and keep up a solemn gravity and decorum, in the Performance of all Sacred Offices in God's Publick Worship and Service; in this case they are no way allied to Superstition, but depend upon the lawful Power and Au­thority of such as are intrusted with the Conduct of the Church. This is the unanimous Acknowledgment of the most Learned Pro­testants, Calvin, Aretius, Zanchy, Davenant, as may be observed in their respective Commentaries upon Col. 2.16. & Gal. 4.10. to which I refer the Judicious Reader.

There is a second kind of Superstition, which we may call [...]. Plut. de superstit. Negative, con­sisting in a vain and scrupulous Omission, Aversation, and Abstinence from such things as God hath no where forbidden. Thus the Reverend Bishop Sanderson concerning Sunday (Dies Solis) that some men are shy of the Name, and condemn the use of it as profane, heathenish, and unlawful, it proceeds (he saith) fromIn the first of his 8 Cases. Su­perstition. But we have the Apostle's Instance, Col. 2.20. If you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why as though living in the world are ye subject to ordi­nances, (and what are they butNe esitave­ris. G. Calixt. Prohibitions and Negatives?) Touch not, taste not, handle not? Grot. ad Co­loss. 2.16. Ʋnâ clausulâ comprehendit & Judaizantes & Pythagorizantes, vino abstinere perpetud non erat Judaicum, nisi in paucis: apud Pythagoristas frequens. Cibis nonnullis Judaei abstinebant, multo pluribus Pythagoristae. —Ne admitte tales magistros, qui talia non observantes spesalutis excludunt. Haec Grotius. De crescentibus verbis indicatur in quantum creverit superstitio, [Page 6]saith Calixtus; The lessening of the words does intimate the increase of Superstition. And he does make use of the Number Three that he may comprehend all, saith Ca­jetan. And (as he goes on) though we cannot tell certainly and in specie, what Ordinances he means, yet we are sure they concern Observances of an external car­nal nature as Religious. But by the Cardinal's good leave they placed Religion in the Aversation and Non-observance of them; wherein the Apostle reproves their vain Scrupulosity and affected Superstition. Modern Expositors have not express'd themselves distinctly and clearly in this matter:Ad Col. 2. but S. Ambrose (though in few words) delivers himself full enough to our purpose; Omnis qui baptizatur in Chri­sto moritur mundo: cunctis enim superstitionum erroribus abrenunciat, & solam colit fi­dem Christi. Every one that is baptized into Christ is dead to the world: for he renoun­ceth all the errors of Superstition, that he may observe the faith of Christ onely as his Re­ligion. Those beggarly Elements of the Levitical Law, and the Traditions and Or­dinances of old Philosophers, S. Ambrose calls the Observance of them Superstition. For Superstition is an awful veneration of something that is dead under a notion that it still lives in a state of Glory. Now those Philosophical and Jewish Ordinan­ces (which the Apostle reproves) are as well dead to us as we to them. Where­fore look upon them as surviving those Dispensations which gave them life and be­ing, and to have their imaginary Ghosts in veneration, is certainly a most vain and gross Superstition. To shut up this part of our Discourse: By things indifferent we mean such things as God hath left free to us;Col. 2.16. things neither commanded nor for­bidden, concerning which these Rules may be of use to direct our common Pra­ctice.

1. Such as are afraid they should offend God and wound their Conscience,Col. 2.21. 1 Cor. 10.25, 27. by the use and practice of such things as God hath not forbidden, they are super­stitious.

2. Such as are afraid they should offend God and wound their Consciences,Gal. 4.10, 11. Mar. 7.5, &c. by the omission or disuse of such things as God hath not commanded, they are Super­stitious.

3. Such as make the use and practice, Such was the Case in Gal. 4.10, 11. & Mar. 7.5. or the omission and forbearance, of things indifferent, a matter of merit of Religion or Divine Worship, of necessity to Salvati­on, Justification, and Holiness, and binding the Conscience of their own nature, or upon any such account, they are Superstitious.

4. Such as are not led away by an affected singularity in matters that are indiffer­ent, 1 Pet. 2.16. with 18. Heb. 13.7, 17. Gal. 5.13. 2 Thes. 3.6, 7. Rom. 16, 17, 18. but do fix the use of their (otherwise) indeterminate Liberty, according to the commands of a just Authority, having respect to Polity, Decency, and good Order; they do govern themselves prudently, according to Apostolical direction.

But Lastly, such as out of an opinion of Religion do refuse to conform to the Constitution of a just Authority, in determining the use of their Christian Liberty about things indifferent, to the ends aforesaid; they do walk [...]. disorderly in refer­ence to the Government, and are (upon the matter) superstitious, schismatical, and scandalous. In short then, according to the Apostles way of Arguing, [Touch not, taste not, handle not] by a parity of reason, the bogling at those Instances amongst our selves appointed for Decency and Order, in the solemn performance of God's public Worship and Service, [viz. Touch not the Surplice, kneel not at the Sacrament, sign not with the Cross] are an Ataxy in Government, a denyal of Authority in de­terming the use of things indifferent, a retrenchment of our Christian Liberty, a re­viving of an old Superstition in other Instances, and highly scandalous, by casting a snare of necessity upon the Conscience, and fixing an Opinion of Religion upon such Abstentions and Omissions, as are but indifferent in their own nature? This was charged upon dissenting Brethren by a Learned Man in the time of Queen Eli­zabeth, La Drios ubi supra pag. 172. where he faith thus, [Those Mistakers and Tolerators (so he calls them) have forgotten the last and extremest degree of Revolters, of Forsakers, of Refusers and plain Contemners, whose case is much to be pitied, especially of those mistakers, because through them they (the rest) are come into this downfall.

By this time I presume you will readily conclude, that the Church hath great reason not to yield in those things, which she her self calls indifferent, though the Dissenters account them sinful. For it is evident that hereby,

1. She should betray the Truth and our Christian Liberty.

2. She should give scandal to her weaker sort of Children, who look upon these things as indifferent, and submit to the use and practice of them as lawful, out of obe­dience to Authority.

3. She should hereby throw dirt upon the face of our first Reformers, and con­demn their vigilant Successors, not onely as unwise in putting these chips (accord­ing to the Irreverence of this Author) into our Porridge; but as unjust and tyrannous in imposing things sinful to wound the Conscience.

And lastly, She should hereby encourage these Dissenters in their disobedience, confirm them in their error and superstition, and so cast a snare upon their Consci­ences. That she may not be forced to do them this unkindness, the Church finds her self obliged to deny them their unjust demands.

I see in the opinion of this Author, these things are but bones of contention and stumbling blocks; but we know some Spirits are of that temper, they will stumble at the best Constitutions under Heaven, if themselves have not a hand in them. Christ himself is such a stumbling block, as cannot escape their wanton kicks and censures; 1 Pet. 2.8. Mat. 11.6. which makes him leave this Aphorism upon record, Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Let us obtain so much Charity of these dissenting Brethren, as to believe us in this our serious Profession, that we look not upon the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church as matters of Religion, or parts of God's Worship; but as outward cir­cumstances of Decency and Order in the performance of it; and that coming into any other Protestant Church, which differs from us herein, we can as freely and sincerely communicate with them as in our own.

This Author tells us, Rome was not built in a day; but the structure which takes up much time and pains in rearing up, may be pull'd down speedily; and Children are able to demonstrate this by their petty Experiments. The first Reformers (he confesses) cast out abundance of filth and rubbish; and what should be done more? I hope there are none so ill advised, as to overturn the Fabrick of the Church, and grub up her foundation. He says, they could not finish the work, nor add the top stone to the Reformation: but (I pray) what hindered them? did they want skill or wisdom, zeal or courage, authority or power? I suppose there is no man so shameless as to affirm, they wanted any thing needful to an advisable Reformation. He faith in­deed, such was the iniquity of the Times, the rage of their Enemies, and the Opposition they met with, they could not do it. But reflecting upon the Proceedings of that Work, we find that none gave them more trouble from time to time than these dis­senting Brethren.

To take offence at every thing which is in use and practice in the Church of Rome, (and for that very reason onely, Because it is so) is very childish and ridicu­lous: and for this I appeal to all the Lutherans, with the most Learned and Judici­ous of the Reformed Churches. The Learned Author in Queen Elizabeths Reign,La Deios, p. 113. so often mentioned, told those Dissenters of that Age, It is certain, that a great part of the publick prayers in that Book which the Romans use, was practised in the Church before the Beast came into that Chair: and oftentimes God's people have either taken or resumed those things to God's Worship, which have been abused by Idolatry. The spoils of Egypt and Jericho, the Vessels of the Temple abused by the Babylonians, were again applied to God's Service. If we used any thing wherein the Pope sheweth himself to be the Beast, as his worshipping of dead Saints and Images, and the Mass, and such like; then we might be said to bear his Image or his Mark; but in the Prayers that we have there is no part, no limb, no claw of that Beast.

Some men (I know) to serve their own ends, and some for want of better infor­mation, are apt to take up that old thredbare method, so fit to delude the hearts of the simple people. They are ready to charge others with an inclination to Popery, who stand at a further distance from it than themselves, and upon much better grounds; not as rash Zelots, but as prudent Christians, not out of design to secure their Estates, but out of Conscience to save their Souls.

Yet we must not run so far from Rome (as the manner of some is) as to leave the Holy Scriptures, the Apostolical Constitutions, and the whole practice of the primi­tive Church, with our common Faith, the Creed and Sacraments behind us. The Lines that are drawn to the greatest distance from this centre have the least strength in them.L. Deios p. 114 'Tis very well said of the Author even now commended, The peo­ple of God must not fashion themselves like the Canaanites, nor the Heathen about them, in any thing wherein they are Idolatrous and Impious: but in that they have as men, God's people may be like them. As they are Papists we will not be like the Romans; but as they are Christians, we may be like them. We must not use the Bible, nor the Name of God or Christ, nor Baptism if we will have nothing that they have. This was sound Protestant Doctrine in the happy days of that Queen of ever blessed Memory.

Consonant hereunto the most eminent Protestant Divines, both at home and in forein Churches, do unanimously profess to detest and renounce nothing of the Church of Rome; but her Errors, her Corruptions, her Contagions, her Idolatry, Superstition, and Tyranny. And albeit these her Pollutions would not permit them to communicate with her in the outward exercises of Religion (so contaminated;) yet they profess they never altered their purpose of persevering in the faith and practice of those things which are good in her. And for this I appeal to Bishop Jewel in hisLatin 12. pag. 88. &c. Apology, and to Dr. Andrew Rivet in hisIn Quarto, tom. 1. tract. 2. q. 2. p. 289. Cathol. Orthodoxus, and to the Learned H. Zanchy in hisCap. 24. sect. 19. in p. 157. Faith concerning matters of Religion, written when he was 70 years of age.

Sir, when all is done, the onely Judges of publick Constitutions are our Go­vernours, invested with Authority to that effect. And I must tell you freely, ne­ver were matters more throughly sifted and examined, for six score years toge­ther, than these Church matters; never more care and pains taken, than to adapt and fit them to the S [...]lemnities of God's Worship.See her Act for Uniformi­ty at the end It was the care of Queen Eli­zabeth and her Commissioners, to ordain and publish such Rites and Ceremonies, as were most for the advancement of God's glory, the edifying of his Church, and the due reverence of Christ's holy Mysteries and Sacraments. And truly I am of opi­nion, that her Royal Highness and her Commissioners were as wise, as pious, and as learned as our Dissenters. They cried out of things as Popish and Antichristian in those days,Pag. 154. as these do in ours. And that Author so often mentioned did rarely encouter them at that time, and we need no other Confutation: Now then (saith he) how shall we know whetehr a thing be Popish and Antichristian or no? By the Names? That cannot be; Names of their (own) nature be indifferent: the Things contained in the Names as they are used of us might be examined. And how shall we find whether they be Popish and Antichristian? If they serve to promote Popery, then are they Popish, then are they Antichristian. But if none of these things (which they except against) help to maintain Idolatry, or the Pope's Supremacy, or mens Traditions against the written Word, or Free Will against the Grace of Christ, or mens Merits against Justification by Faith, or the Idol and Sacrifice of the Mass, or Pil­grimages, or Purgatory, or Prayer for the Dead, or Auricular Confession, (whereby the Priest keeps the Lock and Key of the Penitent's Conscience, and makes it his Spy to discover his secret Inclinations, and the his Press-master to engage him to execute any design of mischief) or Satisfactions for sins by Penance, or Indulgences, or the keeping of the Word of God from the people in any unknown Tongue, or the like; if they do not maintain vice or unjustice, nor Heresie amongst us; but are directed to root out Popery, to keep us in the true faith, to advance the Word of God, to establish our Justification by Faith, to further Repentance and good works, to punish sin, to define that which is equal and right, to keep the common peace of the Church: Then are they not Popish, seeing they are bent and exercised to the ruin of Popery. But they are Christian and holy, and appertaining to the Church of Christ, forasmuch as they further the King­dom and Glory of Christ our Saviour. Thus stood the Church and the Protestant Reli­gion amongst us in the day of Q. Elizabeth.

To this most excellent Princess succeeded King James, a Prince wise and learned to a prodigy and wonder; and His Majesty being importuned by the repeated noise and clamours of such Dissenters; was pleased himself to hear their Objections [Page 9]with an unwearied Patience, and (notwithstanding the prejudice of his Education under Buchanan) he did solemnly declare, that all their exceptions were light and frivolous; for which reason he forthwith issued out his Royal Proclamation to rein­force Ʋniformity, which you may find well worth your reading about the begin­ning of the former Book of Common Prayer. That wise and learned King (who was much more able to judge than you or I) look'd upon this our English Jerusalem as a Bride made ready for her Husband; but these Dissenters would be pulling off her dress and deflower her beauty, to shew their own skill in Religious Drapery and Trimming. And indeed they have made little less than Prophecy of the Words of that Person in the time of Queen Elizabeth, where he saith thus; [While men seek to perfect Churches, they will bring to pass, L. Drios p. 174 that there will be amongst us no Church at all.] If you would see the King of Saints in his beauty, (as that Anonymus hath it) you must have patience till you get your passage into Heaven; and if you would see Christ upon his throne, you must expect till he comes to sit in Judg­ment. When that great day of restitution comes, that corruption shall have put on incorruption, and infirmity be swallowed up of glory and perfection, then he will cast all scandals out of his Kingdom, Ephes. 5.27. and present to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle, but completely holy and without blemish. In the mean while as long as the Church is militant, she looketh forth as the morning, fair as the Moon, clear as the Sun; her Beauty is overcast with Clouds, stain'd with Spots, subject to Eclipses. Christ hath told us, that Offences will come; Cant. 6.10. and the Tares will spring up amongst the Wheat; and he that looks for any other Paradise or Heaven on Earth, does but feed upon his own dreams, and flatter himself with his own delu­sions.

In the Name of God, what would men be at? Our pious and wise Reformers have so far departed from all the corruptions, from all the unwarrantable Doctrines and Practices of the Church of Rome, that a Reverend Person well able to judge in the case, has put this his solemn Profession into publick view;Dr. Tillotson's Sermon on 1 Cor. 3.15. [I do believe in my conscience the Church of England to be the best constituted Church this day in the world, and that as to the main the Doctrine, and Government, and Worship of it, are excellent­ly framed to make men soberly religious, securing men on the one hand from the wild freaks of Enthusiasm, and on the other from the follies of Superstition.] And this I take the confidence to averr, that the grounds upon which the Church of England now stands gives us great advantage above all other particular Churches, to encoun­ter and beat off all the force of Rome. And this is undeniably evinced by experi­ence. It was the Obtestation of that worthy Person in the time of Queen Eliza­beth, L Deios ubi supra 106. [All that is proper to Antichrist we withstand, and therefore Antichrist seeing himself cast off, and us not gathered in his Name, striveth by force and policy to gather us to himself again.] For this reason it is, that those Emissaries of his put themselves into all shapes and trades, become Taylors and Shoomakers, Presbyterians and Independ­ents, Anabaptists and Quakers, or men of the Fifth Monarchy, to attaque and ruin us. And as long as any Conventicles are allowed, there will be so many Scenes and Stages for Popish Priests and Jesuits to act their parts undiscernibly; and this can­not be avoided but by a strict Conformity. Because they are not able to stand against us in the open field by force of Argument, they attempt to do it by Stratagem, that is, by the most unjustifiable methods of Murthers, Treasons, and Assassinations. If this Church of England were not the very best Church under Heaven, they would never impugn it with a Malice so implacable; and if they found it not much too hard for them, by the advantage of the ground it now stands on, they would never engage in such desperate courses to remove it. Wherefore it highly concerns all worthy Persons, who love the Settlement of the Protestant Religion here at home, (even in favour to the Protestants abroad) to unite their strength and study by all just and prudent Methods to support it; that our subtilest Enemies the Jesu­its may by no means obtain the advantage of an After game to ruin us. We know they are like Moles, and work under ground; if we suffer others to peck away any of our materials, which now stand so firm and so well cemented, they will insinuate themselves into a breach of a small latitude to undermine our whole Fabric and enter in upon us postliminio.

I confess, the union of all the Protestants as well abroad as at home, is a noble de­sign; but whether it be practicable or needful, or whether we shall meet with a fair compliance from other Churches in such an Attempt, is very doubtful. For, 1. That which pleaseth the Lutherans will not please the Calvinists; and to be sure amongst such Protestants as are Subjects under Popish Dominions, this Project of Ʋnion is unpracticable. If we attempt to unite them to our selves, we betray them to be ruined by the jealousie of their own Princes. Amongst Protestants therefore under such circumstances no such union can reasonably be expected. 2. Nor is this at all needful, for do we not all profess it lawful for particular Churches to have their different Rites and Ceremonies, Forms and Customs? Do not all Protestant Churches declare, that it is their Christian Liberty to have it so? and does not each particular Church and Party stifly adhere to their own Rites and Forms upon that account? and must we of the Church of England be the onely Changlings of the Reformation?De Religione Fides cap. 24. sect. 15. I pray let us consider the Advice of the Learned Zanchy; ‘There are two sorts of things (saith he) wherein the unity of the Church may consist: The first, in such things as are delivered in the Word of God; the other, in such things as are not expressed in the Word, and of this sort are many Eccle­siastical Rites and Ceremonies. In the first kind we hold unity to be always and every where necessary: in the later, although unity is not of it self necessary, but 'tis convenient to have different Rites, according to the constitution and quality of different Times and Places; nevertheless where a certain Order is appointed and received touching such things, for the Edification of the Church; it is our Judgment, that there Unity in such matters ought to be retained, and the Or­ders of the Church ought not to be disturbed: according to the rule of the Apo­stle, Let all things be done decently and in order, to the edification of the Church. Concerning which things we do wonderfully approve and embrace those two Epistles of S. Austin, viz. 118. & 119. to Januarius, after 70 years of age, when the heat of his Disputes and Controversial Labours were at an end.’ This was the Faith and Religion which that Learned man professed and died in.

And whatsoever alteration we can project, I am confident 'twill generally give more offence than satisfaction; and wise men in forein parts will be apt to value us the less for such our levity. However with Free States and Princes which are Protestants, we may enjoy a firm union by a mutual confederation, (as is usually done upon all other occasions) without any change of Laws, Rites, Forms, or local Constitution on either part.

And 3. will other sorts of Protestants be so easily persuaded to suffer their deli­berate Constitutions to be disputed and contradicted? Let us take our measures herein from our late Assembly of Divines, whose Advice and Resolution to the then Parliament was this;The Advice of the Assem­bly concern­ing a Con­fession of Faith, ch. 20. sect. 4. They who upon pretence of Christian Liberty shall oppose any law­ful Power, or the lawful exercise of it, whether it be Civil or Ecclesiastical, resist the Ordinance of God; and for their publishing such Opinions, or maintaining of such Pra­ctices, as are contrary to the Light of Nature, or to the known Principles of Christiani­ty, whether concerning Faith, Worship, or Conversation, or to the Power of Godliness, (whereof we may be sure they intended to be the Judges) or such erroneous Opini­ons or Practices, as either in their own nature, or in the manner of publishing or main­taining them, are destructive to the external peace and order, which Christ hath esta­blished in the Church, (that is, by their Presbyterian Model) they may lawfully be call'd to account, and proceeded against by the Censures of the Church, and by the Power of the Civil Magistrate.

But let us leave the Protestants of forein Churches, and keep our eyes at home; and here we cannot but observe to our great grief, that the Sects and Factions are many and various, and which of them should we design our kindness for? For Presbyterians or Independents, Anabaptists, Quakers, or Socinians? Where ever you resolve to pitch, I believe you will have but a little to gratifie the humour of some Party, which you can never oblige. For it is not to be imagined, that our Go­vernours will ever part with so much as has been impetuously required; for then we shall lay a colourable ground to justifie their Solemn League and Covenant, with [Page 11]all those horrid Mischiefs which ensued upon it; and we shall most certainly de­form the Church, and unhinge the Government, which may be of a worse conse­quence than a temporary Toleration. If you grant but little, they will conclude they have given the Church a defeat therein, and will triumph in it: yet this will be too weak a Charm to make them acquiesce, and be at peace with us. For this sort of men (as well as others) are observed to be so restless in their humour, that instead of studying to be quiet, and to do their own business, they are always labouring to be uppermost, and in order to that they are always studying new Objections against all establish'd Forms of Decency, maugre all alterations intended for their satisfaction. Sometimes they cry down the Rites and Ceremonies, because they are dumb, that is, dark and unedifying: but since the dumb beast has had her mouth opened to convince the madness of these Prophets,See the Pre­face before the Common Prayer and Ceremonies, &c. they cry out against them for having too much Tongue, that is, for being too significant and useful. And as ano­ther Instance of their Unquietness, we may observe their watchfulness and artifice in perverting such charitable Discourses, as are designed to draw them into the Communion of the Church, to palliate their Dissent from it. And how tender and scrupulous soever they make themselves at this day, yet they will not let us forget, that not very long since, while they strained at the very same Gnats, they could swallow Camels; and thought it just to force others (as much as in them lay) to do the like.

Sir, if these Practices have any affinity with the Definition of Infirmity, (or a weak Brother) I must confess my self at a loss to understand what it is to be stiff; wilful, and unteachable. In short, by offering these Dissenters to yield them they know not what, upon the Solicitation of we know not whom, we shall expose our selves and our Religion to no purpose. The Popish Party will upbraid us for our levity; and perhaps in departing from the decent and harmless Rites and Usages of the Ancients, (long before Popery had a being) we may give a scandal to such as have come over to us from their Communion. And what are we like to get by it? As far as I am able to discern, we shall give ground to a profess'd Adversary, and make a wilful breach upon our wholsom Laws and Discipline, to make a new experi­ment. For if it does not succeed well, (which none but God Almighty can fore­see) how shall we recover our ground again? and who shall stand in the gap to make up the breach for us?

We are come at last to the Authority alleaged by that Apocryphal Anonymus; in the first whereof I find a double mistake, for first the Name of that Reverend Arch-Bishop was not Edward but Edwin Sands, who died at York Aug. 8. 1588. The said Reverend Person, when he was Vicechancellor of Cambridge, at the Instigation of the Duke of Northumberland, preached up the Title of Jane Grey, for which he was imprisoned by Queen Mary. Godwyn of Bishops. Afterwards being set at liberty upon the Intercessi­on of some Friends, he went over into Germany, and staid there till he was called back in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. From thence 'tis probable he might bring over with him some Inclinations to the Models of Reformation, which he had obser­ved amongst some Protestants in those Countries. But besides this mistake in the Name, there is a greater in the Title Page, and I am a little jealous it was wilful and advised; for he represents it as the sentiment of the first Reformers, when it was but the single Opinion of that Reverend Archbishop, in or about the thirtieth year of that Queens Reign; all the rest of the Governours (as far as we are able to inform our selves) were of another Judgment, as their Successors generally have been ever since. But let us hear the Bistop's own Words (at least if they be his own) he saith thus; [I have ever been and presently am persuaded, that some of them (Rites and Ceremonies) be not so expedient for this Church now, but that in the Church Reformed, and in all this time of the Gospel, wherein the Seed of the Scripture hath so long been sown, they may better be disused by little and little, than more and more urged.] This is that which the Archbishop declares, and it is observable, that he does not name any one of those Rites and Ceremonies, but refers the particularities to the dis­cretion of the Godly-wise. What have been disused and altered since that time, I shall leave to the Observation of considering men: What are retain'd amongst us, have [Page 12]been severely and minutely examined; and the Godly-wise find them so far from a disposition to choak the seed of the Gospel, that they approve them as congenial to the general Dictates and Directions of it, and very decent in the solemn Worship and Service of God under it.

That our Ecclesiastical Policy in some points may be better'd, that Bishop does acknowledge, and so do we. In the Preface to the Commination we are told of a Godly Discipline in the Primitive Church, which both they and we wish heartily might be restored; but this is not to be hoped for, till the generality of men become more governable, that is, more humble, more obsequious, to wholesom Discipline, and carry a greater veneration for the Authority of the Church.

But that this Reverend Archbishop was not of the mind of these Dissenters, his last Will and Testament, (which is here produced) gives us sufficient Evidence. For he saith, 1. That the state of a small private Church (such as Geneva for example) and the form of a large Christian Kingdom, neither would long like, nor at all brook, one and the same Ecclesiastical Government. 2. He saith, Concerning Rites and Ceremonies by Political Constitutions authorized amongst us, I am and have been persuaded, that such as are set down by public Authority in this Church of England, are no way either ungodly or unlawful, but may with a good Conscience (for order and obedience sake) be used of a good Christian. Are the Dissenters of this mind? why then do they not conform to them? and why does this their Advocate upbraid them as sinful and ungodly, and charge them with an edge and sting that wounds the Conscience? 3. That Reve­rend Archbishop tells us further, I do utterly mislike, even in my conscience, all such rude and undigested Platforms, as have been more lately and boldly, than either learned­ly or wisely preferr'd; tending not to the Reformation, but to the destruction of the Church of England. What would this pious Soul have said, if he had lived to see our tender consciences cloathing themselves in Arms of Steel, marching with Pikes, Swords, and Pistols, bartering down our establish'd Laws and Government with Guns and Cannons, and setting up their own new models, not with the noise of Axes and Ham­mers, but with the more confused noise of Wars and Tumults, and with garments rolled in bloud? They have given this best of Churches the Stab, made the gaping wounds, yea and with their pretious balms have broken our much more precious head; and now they call earnestly for a tender hand, for a cementing healing spirit, as if all the hurt had been done not by, but upon themselves.

These Observations upon the Discourse of that Reverend Person being submitted to the Judgment of every Reader, I shall proceed to the remarkable passage of that Reverend and Worthy Dean, which he setteth down in these words; It is not for private persons to undertake in matters of publick concernment; but I think we have no cause to doubt, but the Governours of our Church (notwithstanding all the advantages of Authority, and we think of Reason too, on our side) are Persons of that Piety and Pru­dence, that fox peace-sake, and in order to a firm Union among Protestants, they would be content (if that would do it) not to insist upon little things, but to yield them up, whether to the infirmity or importunity, or perhaps in some very few things, to the plausible Ex­ceptions of those who differ from us.

Before I return an account of the Sense of that Reverend and Learned Person, I shall endeavour to undeceive the nameless Allegator. He thinks that to some very few things, these Dissenters have very plausible Exceptions. Sir, I am heartily glad to hear their Exceptions are but plausible, and reduced to so small a number. We have Exceptions against the Presbyterian Discipline and Government, and against the Congregational Churches too, and those not a few, and much more than plausible. But what Constitution, what Court, what Person, what any thing in the world, shall be allowed to stand, if a few plausible Exceptions be sufficient to pull it down? There have been plausible Exceptions against A House of Lords, plausible Exceptions against the best of Princes, and things that are most sacred. When we hear of Exceptions and plausible, we should well consider the Persons to whom they are so: There are exceptions against the holy Scriptures; but they are plausible▪ onely to the prophane Atheist; Exceptions against the eternal Son of God, but they are plausible onely to Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites, to Jews, Infidels, and Hereticks. When Ignorance and [Page 13]Faction have made exceptions, Pride and Interest will strive hard to make them plausible. A thing may be very plausible which is no way just, but highly inconvenient. It is therefore an Argument of a light and ungenerous mind, to argue in matters of so great importance, from such popular and loose Topicks. Prudent and Pious Persons were not wont of old to do so; we may instance in Hooker, Hammond, Sanderson. Nor must we look upon this as the Judgment of that Reverend Dean, but as the fond Opinion which these Dissenters have of their own Conceptions.

Nor can this Allegator think, that a few things will satisfie them. To rectifie his Judgment herein, let him peruse their Solemn League and Covenant, as the Mother of all the rest, their Dire­ctory, their Form of Government for England and Ireland, their Confession of Faith, their lesser and larger Catechisms, their Jus Divinum of the Presbyterian Government; and (since His Majesty's hap­py Restruration) their Petition, with the Review and Alteration of the Book of Common Prayer; their Petition for Peace, with their Reformation of the Liturgy.

Again, this confident Allegator looks at the wrong end of the Telescope, when he judges these matters to be so little. For to yield up such things, and upon such accounts as they demand them, we must yield up a branch of truth and our own reason, with some part of our Christian Liberty, (which is never a whit the less considerable to us, because we desire not to make use of it for a cloke of Pride, Malice, or Disobedience) Some Laws and Canons also are to be yielded up, and some rays of Authority to be eclipsed, if not extinguished, by this Concession.

Besides, what is little in its own nature may be great in its consequence. The Pin of a Watch is a small matter if we look upon the bulk of it yet the loss of such a Pin disorderss the whole Move­ment, or makes the Wheels to stand still, and so you lose your aim and the time or the day by it. The taking away of a little Turf is but a small matter in appearance, but such, as are well ac­quainted with the Po-Dyke Law, will tell you it may occasion a breach in the whole bank, and let in such an Inundation as may drown a fruitful Level: for which reason such a wilful Breach is made Felony by Statute.

But grant the things to be so little as is ordinarily imagined;Deios ubi supra p. 172. for that Learned Man said very right in the days of Queen Elizabeth, [The Controversies wherein we differ have small weight in the matters, and less in the proofs.] But it seems these Dissenters have no great value for Authority, (when it was not vested themselves) that such little matters can give them occasion to quarrel with it. If the matters be smell, the performance is the more easie, and consequently the diso­bedience the more intolerable. And this is acknowledged by no less Authority than an Act of Par­liament; for in the Preface to the Book of Common Prayer, under the Title of Ceremonies, it is de­clared, that Although the keeping or omitting of a Ceremony, in it self considered, is but a small thing; yet the wilful and contemptuous transgression and breaking of a Common Order and Discipline, is no small offence before God. We find therefore that Instances of contempt in the smallest matters have been pu­nished with the greater rigour. To pick up a few sticks one would think no great violation of the Sabbath; yet 'twas so high an affront to Government, the Lawgiver would not dispense with it.Num. 15▪ 32.

'Tis true, such Affronts may be prevented, if the Law be changed by the same Authority that made it; but this course in preventing one, would draw on another, and a much greater mischief. For as that Reverend Dean observes, [There is no greater disparagement to a man's understanding,Dr Tilloison's Sermon on 1 Cor. 3.15. no greater argument of a light and ungenerous mind, than rashly to charge ones Religion.] Eft enim proprium viri nobilie constantem esse in re laudabili honoréque digna; nec sinere se ab honesto proposito vel secundis vel adversis rebus abduci, saith the Learned Zanchy. This chopping and changing leaves a legible brand of unsteddiness and levity, and argues want of good advisement, when the Law was first established: and this is the readiest way to make the gravest Councils ridiculous, and their Laws contemptible.

This that wise and learned Prince very well understood,K. JAMES. and therefore in his Proclamation for the Uniformity of Common Prayer he concludes thus: ‘And last of all we do admonish all men, that hereafter they shall not expect nor attempt any further Alteration in the Common and Publick Form of God's Service, from this which is now established;This Proclama­tion was printed before the old Book of Com­mon Prayer. for that neither will we give way for any to presume, that our own Judgment having determined in a matter of this weight, shall be swayd to alteration by the frivolous suggestion of any light spirit. Neither are we igno­rant of the Inconveniences that do arise in Government, by admitting Innovation in things once settled by mature deliberation; and how necessary it is to use Constancy in the upholding of the publick Determinations of States: for that such is the unquietness and unstedfastness of some Dispositions, affecting every year new Forms of things, as if they should be followed in their Unconstancy, would make all Actions of State ridiculous and contemptible; whereas the stedfast maintaining of things by good advice established, is the Weal of all Commonwealths.’

And now (Sir) I shall take leave to do right to that Reverend and Worthy Dean, whose Words are alleaged by this Apocryphal Writer to his own ends, but with a Construction far distant from the Dean's intended sence and meaning.

For 1. The Dean does avouch himself to be of our Governours side, but these Dissenters are pro­fessedly against them.

2. The Dean tells you, It is not for private persons to undertake in matters of publick concernment: but whatever they have done since, I am sure the Dissenters in the time of Queen Elizabeth thought it lawful to attempt any thing (which they were pleased to call a Reformation) by Cla­mour, Tumult, and Violence; and sometimes they did act accordingly without and against Authority.

In evidence whereof we need produce no other than the words of that Author so often men­tioned;Laur. Deios in the said Dis­course p. 163, 164. ‘This their Liberty (saith he of those Dissenters) is one of the chief Points wherein they stand. Here neither Prince, nor Counsellour, nor Bishop, nor Law must restrain them from refusing or casting off whatsoever they mislike; or from taking upon them, and putting [Page 14]in practice any thing they have determined or concluded to be done; seeing according to their conceit they have sound out, that Bishops and all other Officers in our Church are Popish, and that the Ministery (as they suppose) beareth Popish Names and Marks, and the Laws are Popish; they will neither sue to Prince nor Council for the removing of any of these things; but with all speed cast the Yoke from their own necks. And seeing they have found in their fancies, that an Eldership, and no other Laws but the written Word is to be heard, therefore they will erect these things amongst themselves.’ And it were to be wished that the same hu­mour did not reign incorrigibly among them at this day; witness the late Practices in Scotland, which agree exactly with their seditious Principles, for which Ireser the Reader to a Book entituled Raviliac Redivivus, and their late Declaration.

3. The pious Inclination of that Reverend Dean was for a not-insisting upon a few little things. These Dissenters are for a change of all, viz. the Liturgy, Discipline, and Government of the Church.

4. These Dissenters demand a change of things as sinful. The Dean taken them onely for indifferent, having all the advantages of Authority and Reason; which he would never have alleaged if he had thought such things sinful.

5. The Dean doubts not in the last of the Piety and Prudence of the Governours of the Church; but he finds no such relenting melting temper in these Dissenters. For after such a Condescention in our Governours (as he supposes to be attainable) he is still doubtful of those Dissenters Conformity and Obedience, which makes him say, [If that would do it.] In short, when his heart was warm with Meditation and a Discourse of Charity, the Reverend Dean freely utters his pious Sentiments for peace-sake, and in order to a firm union among Protestants, [If that would do it.] And what Christian Soul would not do the like for an End so noble and glorious? This was no more in effect than what fell from the mouth of that Great and Excellent Person the Lord Archbishop Juxton, who discoursing with my self about Indulgence to Dissenters, (at his first coming to Lambeth after the King's Return) was pleased thus to express himself: ‘That if the yielding of some few small matters would win them to joyn cordially with us in the Practice of the rest, he could very well be content with it.’ And this signified just as much as Mr. Dean's Expression with this Proviso, [If that would do it.] But I must not dissemble, that His Grace added thus much; ‘You know Mr. N. I have sometimes sate at the Helm, and truly I have studied the temper of these men, and could never find them soThe Bishop added, That there was no way to govern this sort of people, but by a streight Rain. ingenuous. For gratifie them in any thing, and you do but encourage them to ask more. They will use your Conde­scention as an Argument of your Conviction, that your own Practice is ill, and their Re­quiries just and reasonable. Nor will they rest satisfied, till all matters of Decency and Or­der be laid aside, to make way for their own new-fangled Innovations.’ If my Lord were mistaken in the temper of these Dissenters, I shall be heartily glad to see it in their practice and compliance.

In the interim it concerns the Prudence of all that are in Authority, to have regard to those Worthies who have sate at the Stern heretofore, who without all doubt watch'd all opportunities to secure the Government, with the Interest of the Church and Kingdom. To call their Prudence and Piety into question, will make our own suspect­e [...], and put our Integrity under some dispute. Such were Cranmer, Whi [...]gift, Bancroft, (to name no more) amongst our Bishops; and amongst our Sovereign Princes such were Q. Elizabeth, K. James, and K. Charles, of over blessed me­mory. To secure the Ark of God, and keep it steddy, they could never be induced to set it upon new Carriages, nor to trust the stumbling Oxen with the conduct of it, but left that to the care of the ancient Hierarchy. We see (Sir) the me­mory of those great persons is precious and had in honour; and if we consult our own reputation with our tranquillity, we shall find it the fairest and nearest way to it, to tread in their steps. And if these Dissenters (notwithstanding their pretences to Religion) should be of implacable spirits, resolved to carry then beats and animosities down to the grave with them, their speedy march off would be a mercy to the Church and Nation, unless God please to mollifie their hearts into a dutiful compliance, upon terms of Truth, Justice, and Ingenuity. And if this their zealous Advocate be not able to prevail with them to this effect, we may very well expect from his modesty, that he should acquiesce in the pre­misses, or at lea [...] that he should solicit their Cause no more, till he hath given us some tolerable satisfaction to these important Quare's.

• 1. What sort of Dissenters he does plead for?
• 2. What Commission he can shew that they have appointed him to be their Advocate?
• 3. What Alterations they are which he can undertake they shall acquiesce in?
• 4. What Security he can give the Church, that they will cordially joyn with us in the practice of all the rest?
• 5. What he can propound to satisfie Dissenters of other sorts, who may plead an equal right to the like
  See Puritans-Papismus pag. 29. by Oliver Ormerod, Printed 1605.
  Indulgence.

But I perceive this is too hard a task for him; whereupon he does very wisely excuse him­self from it in these words, [It is not for me, the meanest of ten thousand, to act the Dictator; no, no, I will turn Orator, and humbly pray. When his Prayer is done, I must remind this Orator of his own Acknowledgments; ‘That Peace is that Legacy which our dearest Lord hath lest to his Disciples. That Union and Communion among Christians is both the beauty and strength of the Church. That which renders her lovely as a City compacted together, and terrible as an Army with Banners.’

Next, I must remin [...] him of that Reverend Dean's Doctrine; ‘That men ought to bring along with them a peaceable disposition, and a mind ready to comply with the Church in which they were born and baptized, in all reasonable and lawfulThe Archbishop owns ours to be lawful. See above. things, and desirous upon any terms that are tolerable to return to the Communion of it; a mind free from passion and prejudice, from peevish Exceptions and groundless and endless scruples.’ Herein the nameless Ora­tor prosesseth most cheerfully to yield to him: ‘Oh that it may be according to his word, that (as he says) there may be no more crumbling into Parties and Factions, but that all the sons and daughters of Zion may worship God in the beauty of holiness, with one shoulder and with one consent,’ (of mind and mouth, in forms and gestures, And then (our Morals and Conversation being consonant to our Religious Worship) we may assure our selves, that upon all our Assemblies there will be a glory, and upon that Glory a defence and through God's blessing that Defence will be Impregnable: Which God of his mercy grant us. Amen.