were removed by Ordination and orderly appointment to his Charge But yet farther to keep peace and prevent confusion there must be some Canons or Rules to retain every Man within the bounds of his duty that one might not disturb another or undoe what another had done Now about chusing of Bishops and about excommunicating Offenders Bishops may vary in their opinion as it is known they often have done one may be for this Man and another for that and unless there be some Rule to proceed by there will be endless Cuarrels and Disputes therefore the general Rule of Decency and Order must come in here and we must consider what direction the Scripture has given in this Case also Now besides the Rule of common Prudence that amongst Governours of all Societies if they cannot otherwise compose any difference they must sit down by the Authority of the major part the Apostle tells us The Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets for God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace as in all the Churches of the Saints 1. Cor. 14. much more then particular Bishops and Ministers ought to be subject to the rest of the Bishops Then the general Rule of our Saviour is If he refuse to hear the Church let him be unto Thee as an Heathen man and a Publican not only no longer an Officer but not so much as a member of the Church Now all Bishops being Governours of the Church and Successors of the Apostles one as well as another has right to judge in Cases that concern the peace and welfare thereof but it is impossible they can all meet or be consulted in ordinary Cases and therefore as in the Civil state for better Order and convenience in administration of Justice or preserving Peace the World is divided into Kingdoms Provinces Counties Cities c. And the respective Governours have the certain bounds and limits of their jurisdiction and every one is to take care of all things within his own charge and not to intermeddle or thrust himself into another Countrey or Province So by direction from the Apostles the Bishops did by mutual consent set out the bounds of every Man's jurisdiction according to Cities and Provinces and Civil States have confirmed the same in after Ages Thus St James was Bishop of Jerusalem St Peter at Antioch St Mark at Alexandria St Andrew at Byzantium now Constantinople St Timothy at Ephesus and Titus at Crete c. And after them other single Persons did succeed in their places as we see it is at this Day as one Bishop dyes another is chosen and Ordained to succeed in his Office And as a City with the neighbouring Countries round it did make one Bishops Diocess so several Cities and their adjoyning Villages did make one Province under one Arch-Bishop And all matters that did concern the Church were to be determined by the mutual consent of the Arch-Bishop and of all or the major part of the Bishops of each Province and this was the Order derived from the Apostles confirmed by the general Councils S. Cypr. Ep. 68. can A post concil Nice and generally observed through all Ages of the Church As for the Authority of Patriarchs and of late years the usurpation of the Pope these are all incroachments upon the Church and so are the Assemblies of Presbyters without or in opposition to their Bishops much more the root of all confusion an independencie of every Preacher in each single Congregation and deviations from the Ancient and Apostolical Order S. Cyprian Ep. 55. concil African can 28. The standing and generall Law and Tradition was that which best suits with the rules of Decency and Order that Christians should not be drawn from their own Country should not be put to long and tedious journies but have all Matters ended at home by the Arch-Bishop and Bishops of each Province amongst themselves who best know the state and condition of the People committed to their charge and are bound by interest as well as duty to consult the peace and welfare of their Dioceses 'T is needless to cite the Canons See the 6 gen Councils and particular Councils confirmed by them the case is known to all Schollars that look into the antient Councils and Histories of the Church And according to this universal Order of the Church 't is as easie for every one to know his own Spiritual Governours as 't is his Civil Every Ones charge is allotted and all within such bounds and limits belong to the Spiritual Government of the Bishop of the Diocess and his Assistants and Minister of the Parish where he lives and thus 't is in all Kingdoms and Countries where the Christian Religion is professed and this Order and Authority all sober Divines do own and acknowledge But still it is with this limitation provided they hold the Faith and Unity of the Catholick Church and keep within the Rules of the Gospel For all Bishops and others are members of Provincial Churches and must be subject to the Rules and Order of the Province and all Provinces are members of the Catholick Church and must keep the unity of Faith of Christs mystreal body In rites and ceremonies and private opinions in lesser matters particular Churches may differ one from another and each Province or Nation may consult and provide that which is best for themselves but then as to Faith and other necessary duties that must be the same all over the World and nothing must be done contrary to the Laws of Christian Charity and that mutual Love that we ought to have for all our Brethren in Christ much less ought we to do any thing contrary to that duty we owe to our Spiritual Fathers that are set over us by the Holy Ghost Acts 20. and to the peace and settlement of the Catholick and our own particular Church or Parish Now I cannot see what temptation any rational Man that wishes well to the promoting of the glory of God and advancement of true Religion can have to change this antient Apostolical Order of a Synod of Bishops governing according to the Rules of the Ancient Church and with the assistance of their Presbyters for a Synod of Presbyters only according to the late Modell of Mr Calvin invented at Geneva Or what benefit the People would have by it who must still be left to the Minister of their own Parish neither would they find themselves in a better but worse condition Much less should make a Schism to inforce and bring in such a novelty and invasion upon their Spiritual Fathers and Brethren in Christ or else to destroy all Church Govenment as the Independants Anabaptists and Quakers do who set up Plow men and Thatchers instead of Bishops and Priests All Persons in this Nation are bound to joyn in Communion with their Bishop of the Diocess and Minister of the Parish where they live and the great sin of those that neglect this
we do from these Men. Answ Perhaps their passionate way of speaking their Noise with now and then an affected Sigh and Groan may stir up a present passion in you as a good Actor at a Play does who can make the People cry and laugh when he will I hope therefore you will not say that the Actor is moved by the Spirit and those are all made Godly People that are thus moved and affected as to burst into Tears so that if you Judge of the soundness of your Religion by such outward Passions I fear the Player when he sets about it will make you believe he is the most Sanctified Preacher Setting then aside this which is no argument of the working of the Holy Spirit but an act of the Man and all the efficacy is lost in an hour or Two assoon as you come into Company or are taken up with business and other affairs You must not therefore Judge of your Religion by a sudden passion but by your sound understanding and steady performing all parts of your Duty Obj. But this cannot be a sudden Passion only in me but must be a real work of the Holy Spirit because I find a great change in my Life I am grown more sober read and meditate upon Gods Word and mind Religion more then I did before Answ But that is no Argament that you are in a safe way so long as you continue in Schism for when the Devil did find he could no longer ruine your Soul by open prophaness he now may tempt you to more secret Sins to more Spiritual wickedness which are as heinous in the sight of God and as dangerous to your Salvation Obj. We have satisfied our selves all along upon these accounts Answ But you see they are weak grounds to rely upon for all this while thô you are Zealous for some you may be wanting in many other necessary duties and you are guilty of Schism disobedience to Parents destroy all Discipline and Order in the Church encourage Atheism and Prophaness and endanger the safety both of Church and State meerly upon fancies and humours for I can call it no other because there is not One good thing that you can learn and observe there that you cannot as well have and practice in the communion of the Church Besides you act against the Sense of the Primitive Church and all other Churches in the World Obj. If it be so we are much mistaken and greatly abused by our Ministers Answ It is certainly so and while you follow such blind and erring guides no wonder if you fall into destruction Obj. We have been told by our Preachers and therefore did verily believe that the Ancient Church were Papists and when the Divines of the Church of England did talk to us of following the Doctrine and Government of the Ancient Church we thought it was only with a design to prepare the way to bring us to Popery Answ Now I hope you are satisfied that the Church of England is no wayes inclining to Popery but does endeavour to teach you your Duty according to the Holy Scriptures and further to confirm the Truth and soundness of their interpretation of Gods Word by the Doctrine of the Primitive Church and the generall Councils and tradition of the Catholick Church And this you may see if you read their late Writings they do as heartily maintain against the Church of Rome as they did before against the other Dissenters and Fanaticks Obj. I am very well satisfied now that the Men of the Church of England are far from being Papists but you tell me that all other Reformed Churches do approve of the Church of England and are ready to joyn with her in communion and condemn those for Schismaticks that set up separate Congregations Answ Yes I do so and if you will but advise with your Bishops and Ministers they will easily be able to prove it to your satisfaction You may read much to this purpose in my Evangelical and Catholick unity where you have the opinions of Luther Melancthon Bucer and Calvin in their own words to this purpose Obj. Then therein I perceive our Teachers have greatly abused us also Indeed I find many rational and sober Men of the Church of England and I believe there may be a great deal of Truth in what you say but yet they are of such a persecuting spirit that they will let no body live quietly by them that are not of their perswasion which we think to be a very ill temper not becoming the moderation of the Gospel Answ It is a sad thing that the Church of England which is the most gentle and moderate and does disclaim all cruelty and hard usage upon the account of Religion should now be accounted the greatest Persecutor as I perceive she is at this time People strangely forget themselves and the opinions and practices of their own Party when they lay such an accusation upon the Church of England which does disown any power of temporal punishment Obj. But there were many Statutes that did inflict severe penalties upon Dissenters Answ These are made by the State for the security of the Government for they finding Dissenters generally enemies to the publick Peace and endeavouring changes and alterations by Mutiny and Sedition saw it necessary by Penal Laws to restrain them from growing too numerous and to keep them within the bounds of their duty Obj. But does not the Church of England then allow of Penal Statutes Answ In a moderate way she does to make Men hear and consider but not to undoe them Obj. But surely Men need not to be used like Children they have discretion to mind their duty without being stirred up by punishments Answ They should have so but 't is plain that they have not Rom. 13. and therefore God Almighty has placed Governours and Officers to be a terrour to evil doers and a praise and an honour to them that do well and mind their duty Obj. Yes if punishments were inflicted on evil doers we should like that well but they punish Godly People because they will not go against their Conscience Answ Do you account then all the Idle Lazy people that lye at home and sleep or else sit drinking at Ale-houses in time of Divine Service and will never so much as take pains to understand their Catechism and bring their Children to be instructed in the Grounds of the Christian Religion Godly People Now 't is evident these idle and ignorant People unless they be stirred up by punishment will never give themselves the trouble to understand and do their duty and so will ruine their own and their Childrens Souls Obj. If you did punish only such idle and lazy People that did live like Heathens and require them and their Children to hear and do their duty no sober Man but must approve of such Discipline and will say such People deserve to be punished But you punish Godly People that do read
and private discourses and if you can throughly convince your Parishioners that they ought to forsake all other Meetings and joyn in the Communion of the Church of England and that they are bound to reverence you as Christs Officers established by the Catholick Church as really you are while you are regularly Constituted and faithfully discharge your Places they will easily hearken to you in all other Duties Many perhaps will read these Papers that will not look into a Church But the design of this Discourse is not only to shew them the necessity of adhering to the outward Communion of the Church but to let them see how much Religion in generall and the publick Peace and quiet of Conference is concerned in it if they will goe upon good grounds also that either through Ignorance or Errour they are like to loose the main Principles of the Gospel My first desire therefore is that you would take care in Expounding to your Flook those Articles Rubricks and Canons which concern Faith Hope and Charity and the essential Duties of the Gospel and then upon occasion not always dwelling upon Matters of Discipline let them know how usefull and necessary these things are so preserve the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace and in righteousness of Life and be sure not to neglect those Laws that 〈◊〉 Catechizing and Expounding the same for the instruction of Old and Young according to their several Capacities and I desire you to consider what weight this Church has layd upon Catechizing as well before as since the Reformation and see the fundamental Principles seriously imprinted upon the Peoples minds which you find * Quilibet sacerdos plebi praesidens quater in anno vel per sevel per alium exponat populo vulgariter absque cujuslibet subtilitatistextura Phantastica quatuordecem fidei articulos decem mandata decalogi duo precepta evangelii viz. geminae charitatis septem opera misericordiae septem peccata mortalla cum sua progenie septem virtutes principales ac gratiae Sacramenta Idem de officio Archidiacon cap. Vt Archid. Vt Archidiaconi quotiens Presbyteros invenerint statutis temporibus populo minime haec omnia praedicasse sen publicasse totiens eos arguant poena canonica castigando supplere compellant quae temerè omiserunt Linwood Provincial lib. 1. de officio Archipresbyteri c. 〈…〉 And then stir them up to shew their Faith by their good works in frequenting the Publick Prayers and Sacraments and leading Holy Lives answerable to their Profession For if they really are or desire to be good Christians and Members of the Church of England they must not only rely upon talking and outward Profession but sincerely observe the Rules and Orders of the Church both by themselves and Families There has been a great outcry made against many Pious and Learned Divines under the Name of High Church-Men c. and others have been magnified as more rational and moderate Men but all that I could see the Church-Men aimed at was Jud. 3. earnestly to contend for the Faith once delivered to the Saints in opposition to Insidels and Hereticks and so to preserve the Purity of the Gospel and to keep a Decency and Reverence in the worship of God and I appeal to the experience of the Nation where the Publick Prayers and Sacraments are more devoutly offered up and frequented and what Congregations shew the most Religious behaviour in the Church And since 't is the Gospel by which we must be Judged at the last day there is no other way Philip. 1.27 to appear with hope before God then having your Conversation as becomes the Gospel of Christ Now all these Orders of the Church which are contended for are only applying the Rules of Gods Word as may most tend to edification and to direct Men in the particular circumstances of each Ones Duty and without some such Orders and observance of them I do not see how Men can keep up a publick Worship of God without being a Scandal to Infidels and Sober Christians and why the Ancient Rules and Customs of the Church should be thought an offence I cannot understand nor how the taking them away can advance Piety in the Nation These Books I commit to your Hands and desire you to lend them about in your several Parishes and make the best use of them you can for the benefit of those that you have any hopes will be the better by them And put them in mind to read and observe the Directions in the former Book FINIS
THE NECESSITY Of Adhering To the Church of ENGLAND As by Law established OR The Duty of a Good Christian And particularly of PARENTS and MASTERS OF FAMILIES UNDER The Present Toleration By William Saywell D. D. Arch-deacon of Ely These are they who separate themselves sensual having not the Spirit Jude 19. CAMBRIDGE Printed by J. Hayes Printer to the University for Edw. Hall Bookseller there 1692. Decemb. 23. 1691. Imprimatur Gabr. Quadring Procan Jo. Beaumont Humf. Gower Joh. Covel THE PREFACE TO All in any Authority ESPECIALLY To Parents and Masters of Families IN THE ARCH-DEACONRY Of ELY I Have in the following Discourse shewed you the true way to Peace and Happiness upon Earth and the certain means of Salvation in the World to come if you will keep your selves and Families in the Communion of the Church of England and practise those Rules and Orders which She has required for your Publick Devotion and duties of Religion And also made it evident what danger your Children and Servants are in of being ruined if you doe not make use of that Power and Authority which God has given you over them to see them duely Instructed in their Catechism and brought up in a Religious conversation and constant attendance at the Prayers and Sacraments of the Church This I have often urged with great earnestness to your Ministers and Church-wardens as they can very well testifie and this if I had opportunity I should deliver to your consideration in your several Parishes and I doubt not but your Ministers often put you in mind of the same but my strength and other occasions not affording me leasure to do that I do send these Books which you may Read and meditate upon at your spare times And for your farther direction besides your Bible and Common-Prayer I recommend to Your and Their serious perusal a Book called The whole Duty of Man where you have Sober and Pious discourses about your particular Duties and also usefull directions about Prayer and other parts of Private Devotion 'T is not only Meat and Drink you are to take care of for your Families as the Beasts do for their young but you are also to provide for their Souls which are the better part and therefore see them educated in the true Faith and Obedience to God and made usefull Instruments to promote the Peace and welfare of their Country Schism and Heresie will make them enemies to both and to you to It will teach them to be stubborn and self-willed Proud and Morose Peevish and ill Natured False and Treacherous and common disturbers of the Church and State all which inconveniences you will avoid if you bring them up in the constant Communion of the Church of England for She only here teaches them the true old Way and the plain Doctrines of the Catholick Church and She is the only particular Church to whom by the Laws of God and Man you are bound to yield submission and this has been fully made out not only against Papists but all other Schismaticks and Dissenters This all Godfathers and Godmothers ought to take into their serious Consideration and where Parents are careless or erroneous they should use their endeavour to see their God-sons and God-daughters brought up in the Profession of that Faith into which they were Baptized the neglect whereof has made the command of the Church herein so much complained off and condemned by the Dissenters for else no Man in his wits can find fault with the Churches care in this matter Since beside the Parents who have a natural Obligation to breed up their Children in the fear of God others are engaged to take care to see that done in Case the Parents dye or neglect it Indeed it is every Christians care in some measure but that it might be more Orderly managed 't is layd upon some few to take it into their more especial Charge and usually left amongst Friends and Relations which in Reason and Nature will be most carefull to see it done To say it is much neglected is no more then may be said of too many Parents also but the custome is very good and Sureties ought to be more carefull to perform the Trust that the Church and Friends lay upon them and to do what they can by themselves or others is all that is expected But it is not onely teaching them their Catechism is sufficient but you ought to see that they lead their Lives according to those Pious Rules and Directions that the Church has taught them and also carefully to restrain them and to correct them for their Vices and Debauchery such as Swearing Lying Drunkenness absenting from the Church and all other kind of Wickedness and the better to prevent all these mischiefs carry them with you at all times to the Church and take account of them what they have Learned and Observed from the Ministers Sermons and Catechizing and be oftentimes on Sundays c. and other Leasure times putting them in mind of their Duty See Deut. 6.7 This the State as well as the Church does now more particularly require of you Deut. 11.18.19 during the Toleration which is not meant to justifie Heresie or Schism or to warrant that they are in a safe condition that separate from the Church no more then Jews or Hereticks who have the like benefit much less to encourage Ignorance and Profaness but only to take off the Temporal Punishment which the Civil State did inflict Now God does often defer his Judgments to wait for our amendment and Parents and Masters do sometimes think it convenient to wink at Offences in their Children and Servants and so thô the State does not at present punish Dissenters yet it does so far disapprove of their Wayes that all the Obligations in Conscience to Conform to the Church still remain both by the Laws of the Church and State also Neither is any Man thought fit to be admitted to any Office or Place of Trust that does not joyn in Communion with the Church of England Besides you must consider thô Punishments may be an outward means yet 't is voluntary Obedience makes good Christians If therefore you will discharge your Duty to God to the Church and State and the Obligation you owe to your Families you must diligently observe these Directions and take more particular Care at this time in the educating of your Children and Servants in the Communion of the Church nay if you expect they should receive any Benefit from any Publick employment in Church or State And I pray God direct you and make you carefull herein and I as I have opportunity shall sometimes come and see and enquire how well your Parish-Churches and Sacraments are frequented by those who would be accounted hearty Friends and true Sons of the Church of England For if they are careless herein how can we expect it from others who would rejoyce at our Destruction and the Papists in the end will
reap the greatest advantage by our Disorders As you therefore love God love your Country love your Childrens Souls keep them from Conventicles and be carefull in training them up in the constant Communion of the Church of England God does particularly commend Abraham because he did command his Children after him that they should keep the way of the Lord. Gen. 18 19. And Joshua does not only take care for himself but says As for Me and my House we will serve the Lord. Josh 24.15 And it is the Command of God in the New Testament Ephes 6.4 That you should bring up your Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord And what that is I have here set before you to prevent your falling into the Errours and Confusions of the times And how can you better spend your Dayes then in promoting the Glory of God and Peace and Love round about you and obtaining happiness for your Selves and Families to all Eternity God be thanked the Pious Zeal of the Sons of the Church has had so good effect in the City of London that daily Morning and Evening Prayers Weekly and Monthly Communions are Reverently and Devoutly celebrated and frequented in many Churches and Chappels I hope their good example will stir up People in the Countrey to change their careless behaviour to be reverent and constant in doing their Duty and attending the Prayers and Sacraments of the Church Calvin de necess Reform Eccles LET them give us such an Hierarchy in which Bishops have such a preheminency that they do not refuse to be subject to Christ wherein they depend upon him as their only Head and are referred unto him in which let them maintain Brotherly Charity one with another and be united together with no other Bond than of his Truth Then I will confess there is no Anathema that they are not guilty of if there be any such that do not observe it Reverently and with the highest Obedience Calv. de vera Reformand Ration That no Man may raise a Calumny against us that we are too morose and froward concerning external things and do so precisely take away all Liberty I do here testifie that I do not contend about Ceremonies which serve for Order and Decency or else are Simbols and Incitements of that Reverence which we pay to God Calv. Ep. 87. Protect Angl. I do highly approve that there should be a certain Form of Prayer and Ecclesiastical Rites from which it should not be Lawfull for Pastors themselves to discede or vary 1. That provision may be made for some Peoples ignorance and unskilfullness 2. That the consent of all Churches amongst themselves may more plainly appear 3. That Order may be taken against the desultory lightness of such who delight in innovations Thus there ought to be an established Catechism an established Administration of Sacraments and also a Publick Form of Prayer THE Necessity of adhering TO The Church of ENGLAND as by Law established c. I Hope I have made it evident to you that I have a tender regard for the glory of God and the good of your Souls by the great pains and the charge I was at to send you Books to stir you up and direct you to the serious practice of the duty of Godliness for t is not hearing all the Sermons and melting discourses in the world can bring you to Heaven unless you do truly Love God with all your heart Deut. 6.5 Matt. 22.37 with all your soul with all your mind and with all your strength which is not done by running now and then into a Conventicle and sighing and groaning at a passionate expression of the Preacher but by a constant and steady doing of your Duty There are in the world many errours in opinion destructive of salvation and there are more in practice But of late years since my coming to this Office our Churches have been much more filled and the Holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper better frequented and the generality of the People seemed to be very well satisfied with the Doctrine and discipline of the Church of England as by Law established and there need nothing but a hearty conformity to the rules and order of it to make us all instruments of Gods glory here on earth and happy to all eternity in the kingdom of Heaven And that I might more effectually perswade you to live in all Christian obedience to the will of God I thought some motives to the duty of Godliness with short directions and prayers would be a means to make you more ready and willing to lead a holy and Religious life This was my real design and intention in sending that little Book amongst you which if you would often and carefully read over and observe the directions contained in it you would and more solid comsort and satisfaction upon your death bed or when you come to examine into the hopes you have of Salvation then in all the passionate Sermons that ever you heard in a Conventicle for then you would do your duty as God hath commanded you whereas now most men content themselves with hearing only and that not as they ought to doe neither and so deceive their own selves Jam. 1.22 Since the coming abroad of that little Book when I thought I had little else to do but to call upon you to do your duty which you did already own and profess I am how put upon another care by the change of affairs in the State in order to the faithful discharge of my Office that is to endeavour to recall some and secure others in the unity and communion of the Church now when you are ready to hear every new Man that sets up in a Conventicle and read erroneous books to lead you to destruction I hope you will read and consider what your Spiritual Governours who have as great a concern for your good as They have a blind Zeal for your hurt have to say for the truth and your obedience to the Laws of the Gospel And 't is from the earnest desire I have of your peace and welfare and the salvation of your Souls that I do now again apply my self to you and require you as you will answer it at the Day of judgement when I must give an account how I have done my duty to was do you seriously to consider how you that run into schism will answer this Charge which I now draw up against you when the scoffs and jears of your Leaders the all I urements and threatnings of your companions and of your friends in errour will stand you in no stead but you must each stand by your selves to be Judged at the day of your death according to the word of God which I now offer to your consideration The pretence of Conscience and being satisfied in their way without assurance from the Scriptures is an unsafe foundation I Know it is the temper of many of you to say we are
satisfied and you feel a great deal of comfort in the way you take to worship God and have the testimony of your Conscience that you do act sincerely and as you think for the glory or God But how easily may Men flatter and deceive themselves with such pretences Do not Jews and Mahometans all Hereticks and Schismaticks pretend the same And are not many of them fully as Zealous and consident in their way and do they not as much condemn you in their thoughts as you can them Nay those that killed the Apostles thought they did God service So that to rely upon an inward satisfaction Joh. 16.2 the pretence of Conscience without solid reason and foundation in Gods word is the common mistake that deludes the greatest part of Mankind If ever then you hope to appear with comfort before God you must lay aside fancy and perswasion and examine both your Faith and your Lives according to the holy Scriptures If we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel in part or in whole or neglect any part of This let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 When our Saviour began to preach this was the Summ of his Doctrine Repent and relieve the Gospel Mar. 1.15 When he sent his Apostles into the world it was with this large Commission Preach the Gospel to every Creature he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16.15 16. St Paul afterwards speaking of the Day of Judgment Says God shall Judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel Rom. 2.16 Again Christ Jesus shall he revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the Glory of his power The Gospel does not only contain promises but precepts duties as well as rewards And therefore our Saviour when he is asked what a man should do to be saved gives this answer If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandments Again if ye love me keep my Commandments St James says whosoever shall keep the whole Law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all Jam. 2.10 This contains all articles of our Creed and all other Christian duties we must not think then our Zeal for one duty will excuse our neglect of another we must not so much regard what we have done but supply that we have not done If through errour or mistake any have lived in Schism Heresie Disobedience or breach of any other command he must repent and amend for no confidence and self conceit can justifie us before God while we live in neglect of our Duty Obedience to Governours and love and unity with our fellow Christians necessary Duties of the Gospel AS our Saviour came into the World to reform the errours and vices of corrupt Nature and teach Men the principles of Peace and Vertue so in his Gospel he has given most severe commands of mutual love and obedience to his Bishops and Governours because without it there would be nothing but ignorance and errour quarrels and confusion and as it was in the Jewish Nation when there was no King in Israel every one did what was right in his own eyes so it will be in the Church where there are no Governours or none that are hearkened to or regarded every man will follow the devices of his own heart Therefore when he founded his Church the first thing he does is to appoint Governours with power not only to shut out of his Church but out of Heaven all those that contemn their authority and will not be governed by them Matt. 16.18 19. Vpon this rock will I build my Church and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it and I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdome of Heaven whatsoever thou shalt bind on Earth shalt be bound in Heaven and whatsoever thou shalt loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven And though in this place it be promised to St Peter to shew that each single Bishop had that power in his respective charge whilst he lives in communion with and conformity to the Church yet Matt. 18. it is said whatsoever ye shall bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven and when our Saviour actually bestows this power John 20.23 he gives it equally to all the Apostles whose soever sins ye remit they are remitted and whose soever sins ye retain they are retained Again he says he that receiveth you receiveth me he that rejecteth you rejecteth me and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me And when he was going into Heaven that he might fully provide for the order and government of his Church he gives his Apostles authority over the whole World to rule and to punish them as well as to teach and comfort them and this power is to last to the end of the World All power is given unto me in Heaven and Earth go ye therefore into all the World make Disciples all Nations and lo I am with you alwayes unto the end of the World Matt. 28. The Apostle Hebr. 13. bids Christians remember them that have the Rule over you who have spoken to you the word of God whose faith follow v. 7. again Obey them that have the Rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your Souls v. 17. And 't is our Saviours express command if he refuse to hear the Church let him be unto thee as a Heathen and a Publican and then he adds to shew whom he means by the Church that 't is the Bishops and Governours of his Church whatsoever ye shall bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven Matt. 18.17 18. So that it is beyond all possible doubt that there are Bishops and Governours sent by Christ to continue to the end of the World and there is a Church that must be hearkened unto under peril of being shut out of the Kingdom of Heaven There must be a method and order observed in appointing the Bishops and Governours of the Church that Men may know whom they ought to obey and whose punishments they ought to avoid ALL Men confess in general that Christ has left Bishops and Governours in his Church but they are not all agreed who are those who have this Authority committed to them Now there must be some orderly method for our direction in this as well as other matters or else the Authority will signifie nothing and not attain that end for which it was appointed For if every body be left to follow whom he please then all censures and excommunications will come to nothing assoon as Men are shut out from one Pastor they will run to another if one will not comply with their humour they will go to another that will and so the Christian society which ought to be the