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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
england_n	certain_a	king_n	send_v	3,100	5	5.9538	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A49890	Plain dealing, or, Nevves from New-England a short view of New-Englands present government, both ecclesiasticall and civil, compared with the anciently-received and established government of England in some materiall points : fit for the gravest consideratin in these times / by Thomas Lechford ...; Plain dealing	Lechford, Thomas, ca. 1590-1644?	1642 (1642)	Wing L810; ESTC R12846	46,269	88

PLAIN DEALING OR NEVVES FROM New-England Vivat Rex Angliae Carolus Vivat Anglia Vivantque eorum Amici omnes A short view of NEW-ENGLANDS present Government both Ecclesiasticall and Civil compared with the anciently-received and established Government of ENGLAND in some materiall points fit for the gravest consideration in these times By THOMAS LECHFORD of Clements Inne in the County of Middlesex Gent. Levis est dolor qui capere consilium potest Et clepere sese Magna non latitant mala Sen. LONDON Printed by W. E. and I. G. for Nath Butter at the signe of the pyde Bull neere S. Austins gate 1642. TO THE READER EVery man is to approve himselfe and answer to God for his actions his conscience leads him to and next to good men as much as in him lyeth I have thus presumed to enter into publique for these reasons First because it is well knowne unto many that heretofore I suffered imprisonment and a kind of banishment out of this good Land for some acts construed to oppose and as tending to subvert Episcopacie and the setled Ecclesiasticall government of England therefore now I desired to purge my self of so great a scandall and wherein I have offended to intreat all my Superiours and others to impute it rather to my ignorance for the time then any wilfull stubbornnesse Secondly seeing that since my comming home I find that multitudes are corrupted with an opinion of the unlawfulnesse of the Church-government by Diocesan Bishops which opinion I beleeve is the root of much mischiefe having now had experience of divers governments I see not how I could with faithfulnesse to God my King and Countrey be any longer silent especially considering some of these late troubles occasioned among other sins I fear much through this evill opinion Happy shall I be if any be made wiser by my harmes I wish all men to take heed how they shake hands with the Church of God upon any such heedlesse grounds as I almost had done Thirdly that I might though unworthy in a fit season acquaint the learned and pious Divines of England with these my slender observations quaeres and experiments to the end they may come the better prepared upon any publique occasion for the consideration of such matters and so at length those good things that are shaken among us may be established and truth confirmed It is enough for me being a Student or Practiser at Law faithfully to put a Case which will be this Whether the Episcopall Government by Provinciall and Diocesan Bishops in number about 26. in England being if not of absolute Divine authority yet nearest and most like thereunto and most anciently here embraced is still safest to be continued Or a Presbyterian government being as is humbly conceived but of humane authority bringing in a numerous company of above 40000. Presbyters to have chiefe rule in the keyes in England be fit to be newly set up here a thing whereof we have had no experience and which moderate wise men think to be lesse consonant to the Divine patterne and may prove more intolerable then the said Episcopacie Or an independent government of every congregationall Church ruling it selfe which introduceth not onely one absolute Bishop in every Parish but in effect so many men so many Bishops according to New-Englands rule which in England would be Anarchie confusion I would entreat those that stand for this last mentioned manner of government to be pleased to consider 1. That the very terme of leading or ruling in the Church attributed to Elders forbids it for if all are Rulers who shall be ruled 2. The maine acts of Rule consist of receiving into the Church by Baptisme or otherwise and ejection out of the Church by censure binding and loosing now these are committed to the Apostles and their successors and not to all the members of the Church 3. All have not power to baptize therefore not to receive into the Church nor to cast out of the Church My brethren be not many masters saith S. Iames 3.1 The words of the wise are as goads and as nayles fastened by the masters of assemblies which are given from one Shepheard Eccles. 12.11 And whereas some may say that this power of ruling is but ministerially in the Officers and initiatively conclusively and virtually in the people If so what power ordinarily have the people to contradict the ministeriall works and acts of their Officers Must the whole Church try all those whom their Ministers convert abroad suppose among Indians before they may baptize them How can all the Church examine and try such All have not power warrant leisure pleasure ability for and in such works nor can all speake Indian language Doubtlesse the acts of rule by the Officers is the rule of the whole Church and so to be taken ordinarily without contradiction else there would be no end of jangling And thus taken the whole Church of Corinth by S. Pauls command sc. by their Ministers were to put away that wicked person and deliver him up to Satan 1 Cor. 5.13 and restore him and forgive him 2 Cor. 2. and so all the doubt on that Text is neer I think resolved Now that the government at New-England seemeth to make so many Church-members so many Bishops will be plaine by this ensuing Discourse for you shall here find that the Churches in the Bay governe each by all their members unanimously or else by the major part wherein every one hath equall vote and superspection with their Ministers and that in their Covenant it is expressed to be the duty of all the members to watch over one another And in time their Churches will be more corrupted then now they are they cannot as there is reason to feare avoid it possibly How can any now deny this to be Anarchie and confusion Nay say some we will keep out those that have not true grace But how can they certainly discerne that true grace and what measure God requireth Besides by this course they will it is to be feared in stead of propagating the Gospel spread heathenisme in stead of gaining to the Church lose from the Church for when the major part are unbaptized as in twenty years undoubtedly they will be by such a course continued what is like to become of it but that either they may goe among their fellow-heathens the Indians or rise up against the Church and break forth into many grievous distempers among themselves which God and the King forbid I pray And that you courteous Reader may perceive I have from time to time dealt cordially in these things by declaring them impartially to my friends as I received light I shall adde in the last place certaine passages out Letters sent by me into England to that purpose and conclude And I doe not this God knoweth as delighting to lay open the infirmities of these well-affected men many of them my friends but that it is necessary at this time for

in writing by a publique Notarie before the cause be heard 3. The Secretary to take the verdicts and make forth the judiciall Commands or Writs 4. The publique Notarie ro record all the proceedings in a fair book and to enter executions of commands done satisfactions acknowledged 5. The fees in all these to be no more then in an inferiour Court of Record in England and to be allowed by the generall Court or Court of Assistants The benefit hereof to the publique good 1. IT will give an easie and quick dispatch to all Causes For thereby the Court and Jury will quickly see the point in hand and accordingly give their verdict and judgement 2. The Court shall the better know constantly how to judge the same things and it is not possible that Judges should alwayes from time to time remember clearly or know to proceed certainly without a faithfull Record 3. The parties may hereby more surely and clearly obtaine their right for through ignorance and passion men may quickly wrong one another in their bare words without a Record 4. Hereby shall the Law of God and Justice be duly administred to the people according to more certaine and unchangeable rules so that they might know what is the Law and what right they may look for at the mouthes of all their Judges 5. Hereby the Subjects have a great part of their evidences and assurances for their proprieties both of lands and goods A Paper touching the Church her liberties delivered at Boston 4. Martii 1639. To the Right Worshipfull the Governour Deputy Governour Councellers and Assistants for this Iurisdiction WHereas you have been pleased to cause me to transcribe certain Breviats of Propositions delivered to the last generall Court for the establishing a body of Lawes as is intended for the glory of God and the wel-fare of this People and Country and published the same to the intent that any man may acquaint you or the Deputies for the next Court with what he conceives fit to be altered or added in or unto the said lawes I conceive it my duty to give you timely notice of some things of great moment about the same Lawes in discharge of my conscience which I shall as Amicus curiae pray you to present with all faithfulnesse as is proposed to the next generall Court by it and the reverend Elders to be further considered of as followeth 1. It is propounded to be one chiefe part of the charge or office of the Councell intended to take care that the conversion of the Natives be endeavoured 2. It is proposed as a liberty that a convenient * number of Orthodoxe Christians allowed to plant together in this Jurisdiction may gather themselves into a Church and elect and ordaine their Officers men fit for their places giving notice to seven of the next Churches one moneth before thereof and of their names and that they may exercise all the ordinances of God according to his Word and so they proceede according to the rule of God and shall not be hindered by any Civill power nor will this Court allow of any Church otherwise gathered This clause nor will the Court allow of any Church otherwise gathered doth as I conceive contradict the first proposition My reasons are these 1. If the conversion of the Natives must be endeavoured then some wise and godly men they should be of your gravest and best men must bee sent forth to teach them to know God 2. When such are sent they must bee either sent immediately by the Lord or mediately by his Churches 3. If the Churches send men they that are sent must be sent by imposition of hands of the Presbyterie Now when Churches are thus gathered or planted they are gathered by Ministers doing the works of Apostles and Euangelists which hath ever been and is the ordinary and regular way of gathering or planting Churches and not as is proposed a convenient number of Orthodoxe Christians gathering themselves into a Church and yet when such a Church is gathered by Church-messengers and Ministers this Court is advised not to allow the same which I conceive is to say The conversion of the Natives shall not be endeavoured orderly according to the rule of God Againe it would be considered that when men are sent forth whether they should not be sent forth two and by two at least as the Scriptures beare and for divers good reasons which lye not hid to your wisdomes That you would be pleased to shew unto the Elders these things to be considered and that they would well weigh whether or no those Ministers and Messengers sent by-Churches should not visit the Churches which they plant Other things there are wherein I think I could also to good purpose move somewhat to your Worships which lyes more directly in the way and calling I have been educated if I were required but this thing lying upon my conscience I could not well passe by Wherefore I shall request it may be considered 1. Whether it be not fit to leave out at least that contradictory clause viz. Nor will this Court allow of any Church otherwise gathered 2. Whether it be not better to let the liberty run thus in generall The holy Church of God shall enjoy all her just liberties A Paper intended for the honoured John Winthrop Esquire late Governour Boston Maii 2. 1640. IF you see a necessity of baptizing them without If an ingagement of Propagation of the truth to the Infidel Natives Then consider whether by the Kings leave some Churches may not be appointed to send their chiefe Pastors and other Ministers to doe such works Also with some kind of subjection or acknowledgement of authority of the Ministerie in England if it be but by way of advice which is cleare to me you may doe I make no doubt but in all things requisite for the state of the Country they will yeeld you all faire liberties Nay I am perswaded the Kings Majesty will not send any unexperienced Governour to afflict but make you Patentees againe or at least after the manner of other Plantations restoring not onely favour but other benefits whereof under God to us Englishmen he is the Fountaine The Kings Attorney did offer some of you this in my hearing I meane the renewall of your Patent Nay further if you would invent and devise what the King may doe for the Country you might obtaine The very conversion of these poore naked people which is very hopefull and much prepared for per accidens or Gods owne providence bringing good out of evill will rejoyce the hearts of all Christians in our deare native Countrey and here and of it selfe if there were no other desirable things here as blessed be God there are many would cause a continued confluence of more people then you can tell well where to bestow for the present The Fishing trade would be promoted with authority Hereby would you give the greater testimony to the cause of

the whole Church of God and themselves as I take it Besides many of the things are not infirmities but such as I am bound to protest against yet I acknowledge there are some wise men among them who would help to mend things if they were able and I hope will do their endeavours And I think that wiser men then they going into a wildernesse to set up another strange government differing from the setled government here might have falne into greater errors then they have done Neither have I the least aime to retard or hinder an happy and desired reformation of things amisse either in Church or Common-wealth but daily and earnestly pray to God Almighty the God of Wisdome and Counsell that he please so to direct his Royall Majesty and his wise and honourable Counsell the high Court of Parliament that they may fall upon so due and faire a moderation as may be for the glory of God and the peace and safety of his Royall Majesty and all his Majesties dominions and good Subjects Vale Clements Inne Jan. 17. 1641. Thomas Lechford A TABLE of the chiefe Heads of this DISCOURSE 1. THe Church-government and administrations in the Bay of the Mattachusets Page 2. 2. Their publique worship 16 3. Touching the government of the Common-wealth there 23 4. Certaine Propositions to the generall Court concerning recording of Civill Causes 29 5. A Paper of the Church her liberties 31 6. A Paper intended for the Worshipfull John Winthrop Esquire late Governour touching baptizing of those they terme without and propagation of the Gospel to the Infidel Natives 34 7. The Ministers and Magistrates their names 37 8. The state of the Countrey in the Bay and thereabouts 47 9. A relation concerning the Natives or Indians 49 10. Some late occurrences touching Episcopacie 53 11. Three Questions to the Elders of Boston and their Answers 55 12. A Paper of exceptions to their government 56 13. Forty quaeres about planting and governing of Churches and other experiments 58 14. An abstract of certaine Letters 68 15. The Conclusion 78 Plaine dealing OR NEWES FROM new-NEW-ENGLAND HAving been forth of my native Countrey almost for the space of foure yeeres last past and now through the goodnesse of Almighty God returned many of my friends desiring to know of me the manner of governments and state of things in the place from whence I came New England I thinke good to declare my knowledge in such things as briefly as I may I conceive and hope it may be profitable in these times of disquisition For the Church government and administrations in the Bay of the Mattachusets A Church is gathered there after this maner A convenient or competent number of Christians allowed by the generall Court to plant together at a day prefixed come together in publique manner in some fit place and there confesse their sins and professe their faith one unto another and being satisfied of one anothers faith repentance they solemlny enter into a Covenant with God and one an other which is called their Church Covenant and held by them to constitute a Church to this effect viz. To forsake the Devill and all his workes and the vanities of the sinfull world and all their former lusts and corruptions they have lived and walked in and to cleave unto and obey the Lord Jesus Christ as their onely King and Law-giver their onely Priest and Prophet and to walke together with that Church in the unity of the faith and brotherly love and to submit themselves one unto an other in all the ordinances of Christ to mutuall edification and comfort to watch over and support one another Whereby they are called the Chruch of such a place which before they say were no Church nor of any Church except the invisible After this they doe at the same time or some other all being together elect their own Officers as Pastor Teacher Elders Deacons if they have fit men enough to supply those places else as many of them as they can be provided of Then they set another day for the ordination of their said officers and appoint some of themselves to impose hands upon their officers which is done in a publique day of fasting and prayer Where there are Ministers or Elders before they impose their hands upon the new Officers But where there is none there some of their chiefest men two or three of good report amongst them though not of the Ministery doe by appointment of the said Church lay hands upon them And after the said ordination if there are any Elders of other Churches present as of late I have knowne divers have been present under the names of the Messengers of the Churches they give the new Officers the right hand of fellowship taking them by the right hand every one severally or else sometimes one forraine Elder in the name of all the rest gives the right hand of fellowship with a set speech unto them Notice is given in divers Churches or other places before-hand of the gathering of every Church divers weeks before and so also of every ordination And some Ministers or others as Messengers from other Churches are usually present at such gatherings of Churches and ordinations For sometimes Magistrates Captains Gentlemen and other meaner Brethren are made messengers of Churches for those and other purposes never having had imposition of hands And at planting of a Church or gathering as they tearme it one of the Church messengers of forraine Churches examines and tries the men to be moulded into a Church discerns their faith and repentance and their Covenant being before ready made written subscribed and here read and acknowledged hee decerns and pronounceth them to be a true Church of Christ and gives them the right hand of fellowship and all this in the name of Christ and of all the Church-messengers present and their Churches so did Master Weld at the founding of Weymouth Church or to this effect And the generall Court will not allow of any Church otherwise gathered Some Ministers have there heretofore as I have heard disclaimed the power of their Ministery received in England but others among them have not Generally for the most part they hold the Pastors and Teachers offices to be distinct the Teacher to minister a word of knowledg the Pastor a word of wisdome but some hold them all one as in the Church of Watertowne there are two Pastors neither will that Church send any messengers to any other Church-gathering or ordination When a man or woman commeth to joyne unto the Church so gathered he or shee commeth to the Elders in private at one of their houses or some other place appointed upon the weeke dayes and make knowne their desire to enter into Church-fellowship with that Church and then the ruling Elders or one of them require or aske him or her if he bee willing to make known unto them the worke of grace upon their soules