the most part odious I think it might easily appear without disparagement be it spoken That there are as Honest Religious Zealous good men that have willingly and chearfully submitted to the Church of England as the best of them all that have oppos'd the same Our Pious-Fore-fathers to whom under God we owe the purity of our Religion and some of which embrac'd a Stake had more moderate apprehensions then the present Generation For when the Tyranny of the Church of Rome had forc'd them to a Separation and that in Obedience to God who commands us neither to believe Lies nor to commit Sin neither of which they could avoid by continuing in Communion with her though they left many of her Ceremonies the number of them being great and burthensome yet they thought fit to retain some others of them and that for Order and Decency in the Service of God If it be replyed as usually it is That the Reformation being carried on by those that were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made of the same Clay and subject to the like passions with others was at best but small and imperfect it being beyond the wit and power of Man either to foresee or remove all Inconveniences on a sudden and therefore that it was the Duty of After-Ages to perfect and complete what they had so happily begun by removing this Rubbish out of the House of God To this I Answer That the Topick of Reformation is too large for a short Preface and beyond my designe onely this by the by I wish that Protestants of whatsoever Perswasion would be more sparing in their Reflections upon our first Reformers for besides the advantage that is hereby given to the Romish Party we ought to consider That abuses are easier complain'd of then redress'd and possibly had the men of this Age been in their stead and under the same Circumstances I do much question if we may take an estimate by their late transactions whether they would have brought the work to so good an Issue as through Gods Blessing they then did But no more of this T is sufficient for my present purpose That since the cause of their Separation from Rome was to avoid her Pollutions 't is evident That these Ceremonies which they thought fit to retaine were in their Judgment no part of them or any other way unlawful the which if my dissenting Brethren will but grant not to talke now off their inexpedience of which neither they nor I must be Judges as it is a fair step to end our Differences so it hence avoidably follows That if some pious men have refus'd the Ceremonies others of as great piety have Conform'd to them if some Learned have disputed others as Learned have defended which may for ever Silence that Branch of the Objection viz. The Learning and Piety of their Parties Nor is there much more weight in that other part of the Objection drawn from their persecutions and sufferings which comes now to be considered A Pretence indeed very plausible and popular for besides its subtle Insinuations upon a natural score we being all obliged by that common bond of Humanity to compassionate those that are in any misery and trouble witness those usual resentments even for a Thief upon the Gallows it hath this farther advantage That wherever in Scripture the word Persecution is mentioned and that either with some Promise annex'd for the support of Gods people who otherwise might despond under such gloomy dispensations or of some Judgment denounced to restrain the fury of their Persecutors I say wheresoever such passages occur as they do frequently in holy Writ they have learned the Art by imposing upon a credulous Vulgar to make the World believe that they are those persecuted Saints for whom those promises are recorded and that all such persons as are any way employed though in Obedience to Authority to suppress them are Persecuting wretches on whom sooner or later all those Judgments threatned shall certainly be inflicted I shall not in the least offend them with any harsh Invectives such Reflections though some ease indeed to a burthen'd mind being very little to the Substance of a Cause but shall only beg their Patience and Charity whilst I endeavour to undeceive them by assuring them in plaine English what without Repentance they will one day find true That they are not Persecuted as Saints but punished as Malefactors And this I shall through Gods assistance undenyably prove in this Method 1. By fixing the Notion in laying down a clear and distinct definition of Persecution 2. By considering how far those present Sufferings to which our Nonconformists are obnoxious do agree with it or differ from it Persecution for Religion for of such onely I now treat may not unfitly be thus described T is an eager violent inflicting of outward temporal Evils for the exercise of true Religion I call it eager violent inflicting so the Lat. c i. e. continue seu continuato motu sequor inimico affectu insequor continuò assidue quaero Mart. Lex Philolog Persequor and the Gr. d i. e. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hesychius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do fully denote they both signifie so to follow as a Hunter doth his Prey who pursues it till he takes it But because these terms eager and violent do only agree to one sort of Persecution viz. That which is furious and rageing it being sometimes more mild and moderate and since definitions do express the nature but not the degree of the thing defined as when we define Calor we take no notice of it in summo I shall therefore omit these words eager and violent and then the definition I suppose unquestionably stands thus Persecution is an inflicting of outward temporal Evils for the exercise of true Religion Outward temporal Evils either upon the Body as Banishment Imprisonment Tortures Death or upon the Estate as Pecuniary Mulcts confiscation of Goods or upon Reputation and good Name as Slanderings Revilings Reproachful Speeches For the exercise of true Religion which is the Ratio formalis the Constitutive difference whereby Persecution is distinguished from all other violences whatsoever For let the greatest Reproaches and Indignities usher in the most exquisite Tortures and those be concluded by a Death as cruel as the utmost Malice on Earth or Fury in Hâ—ll can contrive yet unless these Tortures be eo nomine inflicted for the sake and cause of Religion we may call them merciless inhumane unnatural Cruelties or any such like name as can most fitly express them but not Persecution By Religion that I may yet more fully explaine the Definition I mean the Worship of God by true Religion the worshipping of him according to his Will the which Will though heretofore variously delivered and in different Dispensations yet those extraordinary ways of Conveyance being now ceased it hath pleased the Goodness and Wisdom of God to deliver in Writing by the Ministry of the Prophets and
eyes run down with tears night and day and let them not cease for the Virgin Daughter of my People is broken with a great breach with a very grievous blow Jer. 14. 17. What Factions and Fractions what Schismes and Sepatations what Rents and Divisions are in this poor distracted Distressed Church of England how should either Kingdome or Church divided stand God forbid but tender respect should be had to tender Consciences But Right Honourable I beseech you take heed least under that pretext you think of Tolerating all Religions amongst us Such Liberty I am afraid would usher in Libertinisme and hasten our desolation a Mr. James Cranford Serm. before the L. Mayor Feb. 1. 1645 Lond. printed for Char Greene 1646. p. 11. 12. It is commonly replied in Pulpits in Presses That a Toleration of all consciences even Antichristian would be a Soveraign remedy to cure all dissentions and an effectuall means to compose the Wars of Christendome all the blood that hath for so many years been shed is charged upon the restraint of this licentiousness ignorantly or malitiously termed Persecution I answer it is besides my purpose to discuss this question of Toleration only for the present I enquire First Would these men that so hotly defend it grant that Toleration if they had power in their hands to others which they desire for themselves I doubt it The Arrians did sometimes seem as earnest enemies to Persecution as these men yet when they had Authority on their side they raised Persecution against the Orthodox more terrible then the heathen Emperours against the Christians which the Churches of the East most grievously b Binii Tom. 1 conc p. 686. complained of Athanasius at large describeth and having spoken much of their inhumane and more then belluine cruelty against all Sexes all Ages both living and dead concludes Epist ad Solitar that he had said less then their inhumanity was because it exceeded all expression The Donatists did ordinarily plead for Toleration and seemed the most inveterate enemies to all disturbance for Conscience sake yet when under the Apostate Julian they had gotten power who can declare saith a Con. lit Petil l. 2. c. 82. Austin what havock they made of the Orthodox b Opt. cont Parm. l. 2. 3. All Africa was filled with blood and desolation Men were rent Matrons dragged Infants slaughtred Women with child miscarried none were secure in their houses the wayes were not safe for Travelers the Letters of them that boasted to be the Captains of the Saints were terrible to all Are our men led by another Spirit Sure I am that one of them that with most earnestness or impudence pleads for Toleration was lately of another mind in the case of Familists and Antinomians in New-England c P. 13. Secondly would such Toleration conduce to the establishing of Peace in the Common-wealth hath it ever done it Possible it is that the equality of Powers may perswade each Party for a Season to suppress their inward rancour can Toleration take it away so that it shall not break out upon sensible advantages by the increase of strength let the experience of former Ages and present times teach this Errour may Tolerate errour saevis inter se convenit urfis but can darkness agree with light or Wolves with Sheep d De praescrip cont Haeret. c. 41. Tertullian observes concerning Hereticks of old they agreed well enough one with another for though they differed in private opinions yet they joyned in one in the opposing of Truth You Persecute saith Austin of the P. 14. Donatists where you are able where you Persecute not you are not able to doe it restrained by the fear of Laws or envie or the multitude making resistance I have been long upon this poynt but I will conclude it with that solemn Embassie which the Orthodox Fathers Assembled in Councell at Sirmium sent to the Emperour Constantius I have insisted the longer a Athan. de Syn. Arim. Seleâ—â— that it might appear to all that the Toleration of Errour is not a way to Peace as some men pretend but to disorder and confusion And yet I am not an enemy to Peace but a friend to Truth and Holiness without which no Man shall see God b A seriouâ— passionate Admonition to the Clergy in the words of M. Tho. Edwards in his Gangraâ— part 1. p. 84 Lond. print for Ralph Smith at the bible in Cornhâ—ll 1646. Ministers ought now to be intent to the errours of the times both in Doctrine and Practise and observe what is the proper work of the day and Preach accordingly taking heed of being guilty of sinfull silence whilest Christ and his truth suffers We have too many wounds with which we have been wounded in the house of our friends many Ministers have and doe undoe us some by their totall silence others by speaking too favourably of the Sects and too much daubing 't is high time now to speak out when the truth of God the Faith once delivered to the Saints more pretious then our lives is almost lost three Kingdomes almost ruin'd and all the reformed Churches in their Truth and Peace hazarded They that can now be silent well contented and let the Wolves come freely and not barke they deserve to be accounted dumb dogs Let therefore all Goâ—ly Orthodox Ministers who would not have all run to ruine stir up themselves and lift up their voices like Trumpets stand no longer looking on as idle spectators or halting between two for he that is not now with God in his cause is against him and he that gathereth not scattereth And that Ministers in our times may be a means to prevent and suppresse the Errours Heresies and Schismes they must not onely often preach against them but they should set themselves against all the ways by which Errours are come in and are farther comeing upon us and oppose them by Preaching writing as Lay-mens Preaching the Gathering of Churches and above all a Toleration for that would be an open doore at which all kind of Heresies would come in and no man could keep them out and therefore if Ministers will witnesse for Truth and against Errors they must set themselves in a speciall manner against a Toleration as the principall inlet to all Heresie and Error And if a Toleration be granted all preaching will not keep them out For as it hath been answered the Patrons of Images who plead let them stand but Preach against the VVorshipping of them that if they stand preaching will not take away all the danger t is not sufficient to keep the People from all Idolatry so say I in this case If a Toleration be granted the Devill will be too hard for us though we preach never so much against them A Toleration will undoe all First bring in Sceptisme in Doctrine and loosenes of Life and afterwards all Atheisme The Patrons of Error because they
Cor 1. 10. 1 Cor 12. 25. * Divisions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom 6. 17. with 1 Cor. 3 3. Gal 5 20. IV. m The same would follow if Presbytery were Tolerated Many mischiefes will inevitably follow upo◠this Toleration and that both to Church and Common-wealth First to the Church as 1. Causeless and unjust revolts from our Ministry and Congregations 2. Our Peoples minds will be troubled and in danger to be subverted as Acts 15. 24. 3. Bitter heart-burnings among Brethren will be fomented and perpetuated to Posterity 4. The Godly painfull Orthodox Ministry will be discouraged and despised 5 The life and power of Godlinesse will be eaten out by frivolous disputes and vaine janglings 6. The whole course of Religion in private Families will be interrupted and undermined 7. Reciprocall Duties between persons of nearest and dearest Relations will be extreamly violated 8. The whole work of Reformation especially in Discipline and Government will be retarded disturbed and in danger of being utterly frustrate and void whilest every person shall have liberty upon every triviall discontent at Presbyteriall Goverment and Churches to revolt from us and list themselves in separated Congregations 9. All other Sects and Heresies in the Kingdome will be encouraged to endeavour the like Toleration 10. All other Sects and Heresies in the Kingdome will safeguard and shelter themselves under the wings of Independency and some of the Independents in their Books have openly avowed that they plead for Liberty of Conscience as well for others as for themselves 11. And the whole Church of England in short time will be swallowed up with destruction and confusion And God is not the Author of confusion but of peace 1. Cor 14. 33. Secondly to the Commonwealth for 1. All these mischiefs in the Church will have their proportionable influence upon the Commonwealth 2. The Kingdome will be wofully weakned by scandalls and Divisions so that the enemies of it both domesticall and forreign will be encouraged to plot and practice against it 3. It is much to be doubted lest the power of the Magistrate should not onely be weakened but even utterly overthrowne considering the Principles and practices of Independents together with their compliance with other Sectaries sufficiently a And are not Presbytarian principles known to be so too knowne to be Anti-Magistraticall b And as inconsistent with other Oaths imposed by Lawfull Authority which that was not V. Such a Toleration is utterly repugnant and inconsistent with that solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion which not only both houses of Parliament but also persons of all sorts in both Kingdoms of England and Scotland have subscribed and with hands lifted up to the most high God have sworn a Which Oaths have been taken by most of the chief sticklers for Toleration and with a True intention it was hoped to performe the same which Covenant likewise both you and we and those that most earnestly pursue the establishment of Toleration have made or should have made in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of all hearts with a true intention to perform the same as we shall answer at the Great day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed For 1. This is opposite to the Reformation of Religion according to the word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches Article 1. 2. n The Toleration of Presbytery is no less destructive to the conjunction and uniformity of all the three Kingdomes then Independency It is destructive to the three Kingdomes nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion and Government which might lead us and our posterity after us as Brethren to live in faith and Love Art 1. 3. o Seeing Presbytery is as much a Schisme from Episcopacy as Episcopacy or independency was from Presbytery why do they now in stead of extirpation desire the Toleration of it contrary to your Covenant It is plainly contrary to that extirpation of Schisme and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound Doctrine and the Power of Godlinesse which we have sworne sincerely really and constantly to endeavour without respect of persons 4. p Toleration of Schisme rendreth Magistrates and Ministers accessary to the Errours Sins and Destruction of seduced and deluded People Hereby we shall be involved in the guilt of other mens sins and thereby be endangered to receive of their Plagues Art 2. 5. It seems utterly impossible if such Toleration should be granted that the Lord should be one and his name one in the three Kingdomes Art 2. 6. This will palpably hinder the Reformation of Religion inevitably divide one Kingdome from another and unhappily make factions and parties among the People contrary to this League and Covenant of which evil offices whosoever shall be found guilty are reputed in the Words of the Covenant q The Toleration of deformity even in little Matters sometimes causeth factions and parties amongst the People Let Vs have a care we be not Incendiaries or evill Instruments for Sacrilegious spirits to work by ill affected as well to Presbytery as Episcopacy Incendiaries Malignants Malignants and evill Instruments to be discovered that they may be brought to publick triall and receive condigne punishment Art 4. 5. These are some of the many Considerations which make deep impressions upon our spirits against that great Diana of Independents and all the Sectaries so much cryed up by them in these distracted times viz. A Toleration a Toleration And however none should have more rejoyced then our selves in the establishment of a Brotherly Peaceable and Christian accommodation yet this being utterly rejected by them we cannot dissemble how upon the fore-mentioned grounds we detest and abhor the much endeavoured Toleration Our Bowels our Bowels are stirred within us and we could even Drowne our selves in Tears when we call to mind how long and sharp a travell this Kingdom hath been in for many years together to bring forth that blessed fruit of a pure and perfect Reformation and now at last after all our pangs and dolours and expectations this Reall and through Reformation is in danger of being strangled in the Birth by a lawless Toleration that strives to be brought forth before it Wherefore Reverend and Beloved Brethren we could not satisfy our selves till we had made some discovery of our Thoughts unto you about this matter not that we can harbour the least jealousy of your zeale fidelity or industry in the opposing and extirpating of such a root of gall and bitterness as Toleration is and will be both in present and future Ages but that we may what lies in us endeavour mutually to strengthen one anothers resolutions against the present growing evills and that our Consciences may not smite us another day for sinfull silence or sluggish deficiency in any point of Duty tending to the glory of Christ Honour of the Truth Peace of the Church Perfection of
fall'n from mee God he knows it and t is my comfort when the world condemnes mee I have no designe to exasperate any man but to reforme him If this do not satisfy for some men are very hard to please take this farther Apology in the words of that Reverend Person now mentiond whose Piety and Moderation I wish his Brethren would imitate y Mr. Baxter ut supra p. 251. 253. Woe to the Land and People that can multiply Sin and cannot Repent And woe to them that pretend Repentance and love to be flatter'd in their Sin and cannot endure to be admonish'd but take all the discoverys of their Sin to be injurious reproach Among the Prophane wee take this to bee a deadly sign of Impenitency And is it so bad in them and good in us It is part of my Office to cry with holy Bradford REPENT O ENGLAND and to say after Christ Except ye Repent ye shall all likewise Perish And can I call men to Repent when I must not dare to tell them of what nor to mention the Sin which is most to be repented of I use all this Preface because I know that Guilt and Impenitency are touchy and tender and galled and querulous and such will bestow the time in backbiting their Monitor which they should bestow in lamenting their sin But shall I therefore forbear and betray their Souls and betray the Land through cowardly Silence Must I shew that I hate Professours by not admonishing them Lev. 19. 17. when I must shew that I love the looser sort by my sharp reproofs Must I not fear them that can kill the Body and must I fear to displease a professed Christian calling him to repentance in a time of Judgements Read on now with these Memento's in your eye And if after so plain a Premonition you will venture to charge mee with that which I disclaime do it at your own perill I stand or fall to the Judgement of God and look for a better reward then the Hypocrites which is To have the good Opinion of men be they Professours of Piety or Profane And with me by Gods grace it shall hereafter be accounted a small Thing to the hindering of my Fidelity to Christ and mens souls to be judged of men 1 Cor. 4. 3. And if there should be any Pastors of the Churches who instead of concurring to heal the Flocks of these dividing Principles shall rather joyne with Backbiters and encourage them in their misreports and slanders because it tendeth to the supposed interest of their Party or themselves let them prepare to answer such unfaithfulness to their Consciences which will shortly be awakned and to the great Shepherd of the Flock who is at the door and who told even the Devills Agents that a House or Kingdom divided against it self cannot stand but is brought to nought Matt. 12. If alas alas experience hath not yet not yet not yet done enough to teach them this TOLERATION Disapprov'd and Condemn'd c. Humbly presented to the serious Consideration of all Dissenting Parties My Brethren THE Lord Jesus who knows all our Hearts and before whose great Tribunal both you and and I must one day appeare is my witness that the cheif designe of my present undertaking is the Peace and welfare of the Church the continuance of the Gospel and the eternal Salvation of pretious and immortal Souls I do therefore much hope though we are all naturally impatient of opposition that you will favourably receive and seriously consider these plaine yet well meaning lines which have no other patronage then the charity of the Author and the candor and piety of those persons to whom they are directed The solemnity of this Preface as it may raise your expectations so it may possibly invite your riosity to inquire who or what manner of person I am that have taken the confidence of so important an Address And though the knowledge of my name would signifie little I being not so considerable as that it should add any weight to my performance yet that I may in some sort gratify such obliging Readers as I hope to find you I shall farther acquaint you that though I am not a person very ambitious to be known yet upon occasion I shall either publickly own and vindicate or if duely convinc'd as publickly recant my present opinion and in short to secure you and Apologize for my selfe since concealed names are ever suspitious I do solemnly protest that I am no scoffer at Religion nor railer at true Piety that I love an honest religious good man that endeavours to save his soul and come to heaven under what profession soever I find him that I will pitty and according to my poor ability rectify but never make sport with his errours and mistakes and herein I doe readily subscribe to the learned L a Advertisements touching the Church of England in his Refuse â— 165. Verulam That to turne Religion into a Comedy or Satyr to search and rip up wounds with a laughing countenance to intermix Scripture scurrility sometimes in one sentence is a thing very far from the devout reverence of a christian and scant beseeming the honest regard of a sober man Two principal causes saith this honourable person have I ever known of Atheisme curious Controversies and prophane scoffing And no less do I admire what I hope you will grant I have endeavoured to transcribe that incomparable saying of the judicious b The Preface to hiâ— Eccl Pol Sect. 2. Hooker There will come a time when three words uttered with Charity and meekness shall receive a far more blessed Reward then three thousand volumns written with disdainful sharpness of Wit But if an irregular heat which I will yet endeavour to suppress should some little display it selfe it being very difficult to contend coldly and without Affection about things which we hold dear and pretious and certainly the Peace of the Church is eminently such if Passion and Interest should obtrude themselves under the notion of Zeale which God knows is no less common then fatal mistake in the management of our Controversies I do then humbly beg of you that you would seriously consider the following Words of the fore-cited good man that the manner of mens writings must not alienate our hearts from the Truth if it appear they have the Truth Having now as far as 't is judged convenient given you an account of the Author t' will in all likelihood be next demanded since this Subject hath been of late so fully and as some think unanswerably discust what convincing Reasons I have to trouble either my Brethren to read or my self to write so common and whilest proposalls are on foot so unwelcome a discourse Really my Brethren did I nor fear that such frequent protestations might seem too affected or that Conscience and Reality might be mistaken for humour and designe I would once more call the searcher of all Hearts to witness
printed for Luke Fawne at the Par. rot in Pauls Church yard 1647. There is a word of Exhortation behind and I beseech you suffer it First to you Honourable and noble Patriots who are called to be Reformers and healers of a poor broken Kingdom Doth not indeed the punishing and suppressing of spirituall whoredomes against God Idolatrie Heresie Blasphemie and the rest doth it not belong unto you as well as the punishing bodily whoredomes theft murder c doth it indeed belong to you only to looke to the civil peace and to let Religion and truth and the worship of God stand or fall to their own master fight God fight Divell fight Christ fight Antichrist catch that catch can you have nothing to do but to stand by and looke on say so then speake out publish it in your Declarations to the world and let the People of England know that it is the right and liberty to which the Subjects of England are borne that Every man hold what he please and publish and preach what he holds that it is the birth-right as some would have it of the free born people of England every man to Worship God according to his own Conscience and to be of what Religion his own Conscience shall dictate Do so and see Fathers and Brethren how long your Civill peace will secure you when Religion is destroyed how long it will be ete your civill peace be turned into civill war for no doubt if this once be granted them but they may in good time come to know also there be them that are instructing them evē in these principles too that it is their birth-right to be freed from the power of Parliaments and from the power of Kings and to take up armes against both when they shall not vote and act according to their humours Liberty of Conscience falsly so called may in good time improve it selfe into liberty of Estates and liberty of Houses and liberty of wives and in a word liberty of perdition of souls and bodies Right Honourable and worthy Gentlemen I cannot stand to dispute this only would I know of you are Idolaters and Hereticks and Blasphemers and Seducers are they evill doers if so then look to your Charge Rom. 13 4. Rulers must be a Terror to evill Doers unless ye mean to bear the sword in vaine And if you will God will not and if God take the Sword into his own hand once as he seems to be a doing of it he will smite to purpose he will execute vengeance throughly both upon the evill doers and upon you that have not been a Terrour to them Oh therefore up and be doing that ye may deliver the Kingdome out of the hand of the Lord for it is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God O let not your Patience I hope it is no more all this while be interpreted a Connivence and your Connivence be taken for a Toleration it may be the Kingdoms ruine but it will be your sin a Ser before the Com Feb. 19. 1645. p. 25. Fathers and brethren how will ye call this keeping of Covenant with God Had we a Parliament of Apostate Julians of whom it is reported that at what time he opened the temples of the Heathenish Gods he set open the Christian Churches call'd home all the Christians whom he had banisht both Orthodox and Heretick and gave them as we call it Liberty of Conscience but as Austin more truly phraseth it b Aug. Ep. 166. vid. Ammian Marcel lib. 22. p. 208. 209 Edit Hen Valesii Defence of the Prop. calls this of Julian a brave and Politick thing p 98. Libertatem perditionis Liberty to destroy themselves for that was his Policy and end namely by liberty of all Religions Eo modo putans Christianum nomen posse perire de terris c. to destroy the True and the Professors thereof too Or had we a Parliament of careless Gallio's we should not wonder but for a Parliament of Christians Protestants Professors the Choisest the most active that could be cull'd out of a Christian State the like not under heaven that these things should be done and you hold your Peace and be able to keep your places and not to put on Righteousness as a Breast-plate and the Garments of Vengeance for your Cloathing as it is said of God this makes the Churches abroad to wonder what Englands Parliament is a doing and all at home that love the Lord Jesus Christ more then their own Interests and Notions to be filled with unspeakable trembling and astonishment to wit what God means to do with this poor bleeding Church and State a Ser. before the Comm. Aug. 22. 1645. p. 29. If you mean that England shall be turned into a wildernes and be over-run with Atheisme and Heresie and Prophaneness and Blasphemy you may hold your hands and you need not do it long b Ser. before the Comm Feb. 19. 1645. p. 25. The Errors and Innovations under which we so much groan'd of later years were but tolerabiles ineptiae tolerable trifles childrens play compared with these damnable doctrines Doctrines of Devils as the Apostle calls them Polygamy Arbitrary Divorce Mortality of the Soule No Ministery No Churches No Ordinances No Scripture yea the very Divinity of Christ and the Holy Ghost questioned by some denyed by others And the very foundation of all these laid in such a Schisme of Boundless Liberty of Conscience viz Believe what you will and Preach what you Believe and such Lawless separation of Churches and all these not only whispered in Corners but Preacht on the house top yea publisht in Print before your faces with so much virulency and impudence that I verily believe no Age since the Apostles time could ever parallel a Sermon before the Commons May 26. 1647. p. 25. There be a Generation of men in the Land that stand up for all kind of false Worship that every man may Worship God after his own Conscience or if they will not own it in words at length they will have it in figures And if they may not are ready not only to cry but to act Persecution and that to purpose for while they cry Persecution gladio oris they are ready to act persecution ore gladii I pray God it may never be englished b M. John Lightfoot Ser before the Comm. Aug. 26. 1645. p. 30. Lond-printed for And. Crook at the Green Dragon in Pauls Chur yard 1645. There is great talk of and pleading for Liberty of Conscience for men to do in matters of Religion as Israel did in the booke of Judges whatsoever seemeth good in their own eyes and how that proved there there are sad stories that relate I shall not goe about to determine the question whether the Conscience may be bound or not though for mine own satisfaction I am resolved it may and do hold it a truer point in Divinity that errans
cannot at first plead for such and such Doctrines in terminis and yet hold them and would have them propagated therefore they plead for a Toleration which once being granted they will come in then of course O let the Ministers therefore oppose Toleration as being that by which the Divel would at once lay a foundation for his Kingdom to all Generations witnesse against it in all places possesse the Magistrate of the Evill of it yea and the People too shewing them how if a Toleration were granted they should never have peace in their Familes more or ever after have command of VVives Children Servants but they and their Posterities after them are like to live in discontent and unquietnesse of mind all their dayes a p. 87. I might shew how the Pastors of the Reformed Churches namely those who were stars of the First Magnitude were against the Toleration of Anabaptists Libertines and other Sectaries in their time and what they did and writ against it as Calvin Zuinglius Peter Martyr Philip Melancthon Zanchius Beza Knox Bullinger Musculus b p. 88. As also how in England in Queen Elizabeths dayes learned Bishops and Godly Ministers were against the suffering of many Religions in this Kingdome as Bishop Jewel Bishop Babington Bishop Bilson Mr. Cartwright Mr. Perkins who in his learned workes on Revel 2. 20. speakes thus Every man is not to be left to his own Conscience to teach and hold what Doctrine he will But all such men or women as teach erroneous Doctrine by the Government of the Church are to be restrained c p. 91. Did I say the Arch-Bishops Bishops Deanes Doctors Court-Chaplains and Bishops-Chaplains for there were some of all these sorts oppos'd hazard the favour of King Nobles great Courtiers the losse of all their Preferments Arch-Bishopricks Bishopricks Deaneries great liveings to withstand a Toleration And shall the Ministers of our times suffer a Toleration of all Sects to come in upon us in a time when the greatest Reformation is pretended that ever was in this Kingdome and a Parliament fitting and be either wholly silent or oppose saintly be afraid of displeasing some great man or hazarding a little estate and liberty was the Lukewarme Angel whom God hath cast out of his Church for not being zealous enough yet so zealous as to hazard all against a Toleration of Popery And shall the Presbyterians Orthodox Godly Ministers be so cold as to let Anabaptism Brownisme Antinomianisme Libertinisme Independency come in upon us and keep in a whole Skin Certainly the Bishops and their Chaplains shall rise up in judgment against the Ministry of this Generation who appeared against the mind of the King Council and so powerfull a faction as was for Popery and the Toleration of it in those dayes if they be silent or meally mouthed besides the shame and dishonour of it here before the Churches abroad and good men at home who will lay all the blame upon the Ministers and say Wee may thanke them for this for dealing no more freely nor faithfully with the Kingdom crying out an unworthy Assembly an unworthy Ministry in City and Country to sit still and suffer all these Errors and poysonous Principles in Books Sermons to come in upon us and to passe unquestioned O for some Gabriel Powells Dâ—wnams Abbots c O for a Burgesse a Calamy a Case a Baxter an Edwards c. to write Preach c. to write preach remonstrate protest against the Errors and wayes of these times T is want of courage and speaking out hath undone us and 't is onely boldnesse and freedome in speakeing to declare particularly such books come forth such Sermons preached such practices plaid such persons preferred and suffered such partiality used c in reference to the Sectaries that must recover us there 's no way to put a stop to things and save all from ruine but present courage and Heroick resolution and le ts speak out and suffer no longer a company of giddy cunning self-seeking Sectaries to betray the Truth of God and to abuse and undoe two Kingdoms Lets therefore fill all Presses cause all Pulpits to ring and so possess Parliament City and whole Kingdom against the Sects and of the evill of Schisme and a Toleration that we may no more hear of a Toleration nor of Seperated Churches being hatefull names in the Church of God AMEN AMEN a An Additionall Testimony of M. Nath Newcomen Serm. at Pauls Feb. 8. 1645. p. 12. For if it be lawfull for every man to entertain and hold what opinion he pleaseth how differing soever from the opinion and judgment of the rest of the Church and People of God yet this is his opinion and his judgement is perswaded of it and he must follow his own judgement and this liberty of judgement be as some say Liberty of Conscience part of the Liberty purchased by Jesus and to restrain it or set bounds to it is in their language Persecution Tyranny c. If this were true sure Paul did very ill to charge the Corinthians with so much authority to be of the same mind and of the same judgment Might not some among the Corinthians have said to Paul This is hard usage this is to rack a low man to the same length with a taller and to cut a tall man to the stature of one that is low What the same judgement and the same minde will not Paul allow difference of lights and sights Might not some one among the Corinthians have said What if I am of opinion that there is no resurrection what hath Paul or any man to do with that it is my conscience and it is my liberty and what hath any man to do with my conscience more then I with his might nor Hymaeneus have said What if it be my Opinion that the Resurrection is past already what hath Paul to do with that Yes saith Paul if ye persist obstinate I will Excommunicate you I will deliver you up to Satan that you may learn not to Blaspheme Certainly this shelter this Asylum of errour falsely called Liberty of Conscience was not thought of in former times THus far these Famous Divines whose very words I have transcribed and that faithfully never adding so much as one syllable of my own unless in the Margin where I have sometimes taken a little Liberty I do much hope upon a serious perusall you will confess these Testimonies both pertinent and convincing and therefore I might here take occasion to consult my own ease and your patience But because as I have found by sad experience Prejudices are strong and evil Habits which have been long in contracting are not suddainly removed as an effectual meanes through Gods blessing of your farther Conviction I shall intreat your perusall of these following Authorities A LETTER OF THE Presbyterian Ministers in the City OF LONDON Presented the First of Jan. 1645. to the Reverend Assembly of DIVINES Sitting at
out fit proper Laws for advancement of Trade and Commerce After all this we most humbly beseech your Majesty to believe That it is with extream unwillingness and reluctancy of heart that we are brought to differ from any thing which your Majesty hath thought fit to propose And though we do no way doubt but that the unreasonable distempers of mens spirits and the many Mutinies and Conspiracies which were carried on during the late intervalls of Parliament did reasonably incline your Majesty to endeavour by your declaration to give some allay to those ill humours till the Parliament Assembled and the hopes of indulgence if the Parliament should consent to it especially seeing the pretenders to this indulgence did seem to make some titles to it by vertue of your Majesties Declaration from Breda Nevertheless we your Majesties most Dutifull and Loyall Subjects who are now returned to serve in Parliament from those severall parts and places of your Kingdome for which we are chosen Do humbly offer to your Majesties great VVisdome That it is in no sort advisable that there be any indulgence to such persons who presume to dissent from the Act of Uniformity and the Religion established For these Reasons We have considered the Nature of your Majesties Declaration from Breda and are humbly of Opinion That your Majesty ought not to be pressed with it any farther Because it is not a promise in it self but only a Gratious Declaration of your Majesties Intentions to doe what in you lay and what a Parliament should advise your Majesty to doe and no such Advice was ever given or thought fit to be offered nor could it be otherwise understood because there were Laws of Uniformity then in being which could not be dispensed with but by Act of Parliament They who do pretend a right to that supposed promise put the Right into the hands of their Representatives whom they chose to serve for them in this Parliament who have passed and your Majesty consented to the Act of Uniformity If any shall presume to say that a right to the benefit of this Declaration doth still remain after this Act passed It tends to dissolve the very Bonds of Goverment and to suppose a disability in your Majesty and the Houses of Parliament to make a Law contrary to any part of your Majesties Declaration though both Houses should advise your Majesty to it We have also considered the nature of the Indulgence proposed with reference to those consequences which must necessarily attend it It will establish Schisme by a Law and make the whole Goverment of the Church precarious and the Censures of it of no moment or Consideration at all It will no way become the Gravity or Wisdome of a Parliament to passe a Law at one Session for Uniformity and at the next Session the Reasons of Uniformity continuing still the same to passe another Law to frustrate or weaken the execution of it It will expose your Majesty to the restlesse importunity of every Sect or Opinion and of every single Person also who shall presume to dissent from the Church of England It will be a cause of increasing Sects and Sectaries whose numbers will weaken the true Protestant Profession so far that it will at least be difficult for it to defend it self against them And which is yet farther Considerable those Numbers which by being troublesome to the Government find they can arrive to an Indulgence will as their Numbers increase be yet more troublesome that so at length they may arrive to a generall Toleration which your Majesty hath declared against and in time some prevalent Sect will at last contend for an establishment which for ought can be foreseen may end in Popery It is a thing altogether without precedent and will take away all means of Convicting Recusants and be inconsistent with the Method and proceedings of the Laws of England Lastly it is humbly conceived that the Indulgence propos'd will be so far from tending to the peace of the Kingdom that it is rather likely to occasion great disturbance And on the contrary That the asserting of the Lawes and the Religion establish't according to the Act of Vniformity is the most probable means to produce a settled Peace and Obedience throughout your Kingdome Because the variety of Professions in Religion when openly divulged doth directly distinguish men into parties and withall gives them opportunity to count their numbers which considering the animosities that out of a Religious Pride will be kept on foot by the severall factions doth tend directly and inevitably to open disturbance Nor can your Majesty have any Security that the Doctrine or Worship of the severall Factions which are all governed by a severall Rule shall be consistent with the Peace of your Kingdome And if any persons shall presume to disturb the peace of the Kingdome We do in all humility declare That we will for ever and in all Occasions be ready with our utmost endeavour and Assistance to adhere to and serve Your Majesty according to our bounden Duty and Allegiance My Brethren I Have now given you my Authorities viz. 1. The private Testimonies of twenty eminent Divines 2. The publick Testimony of the Presbyterian Ministers in the City of London Synodically met at Sion Colledge 3. The Authority of that Wise and Learned King James and his Privy Councill 4. The Votes and Reasons of the Honourable Commons Assembled in this present Parliament All which I have designedly ranked in this method that observing the order of nature and beginning ab imperfectiori I might gradually ascend to that which is more perfect for such I think the Reasons of the House will be found to him that dares attempt them i. e. Impregnable and unanswerable I Know not how it fares with other men I am no judge of their honesty or Knowledge but I am sure as to me the premises have appeared so considerable I should think the world might suspect either my Intellectualls or Moralls were I not thus apprehensive of so convincing a Light My Brethren that I may deal freely with you I am perfectly amaz'd and I had almost said scandaliz'd that men so eminent for Learning so noted for Piety and if we may beleive themselves it being one of their grand Topickes for Indulgence so considerable for Policy I say that these men should so warmely concerne themselves for this Thing call'd Toleration which as I hope the premises have evinc'd is not onely destructive both to Church State but also which prudent men would a little consider so directly contrary to their former Principles Practices I am very unwilling to make any unpleasing Reflections but 't is the Language of the world and I am not yet instructed to confute it that it is not a Toleration however pretended as the most advantageous method that can at present be employ'd but a Reformation that is as sad experience hath explained it a totall Extirpation of what ever is