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COLLECTION OF PURITAN AND ENGLISH THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE

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LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY

Section

s

DISSVASIVE

FROM THE

ERROURS

Of the

T I M E

Wherein the Tenets of the principall

SeBs, efpccially of the Independents, are drawn to- gether in one Map/or the moft part^in the words of their own Jmbours, and their maine principles arc examined by the Touch-ftone of the Holy Scriptures,

By RobertBaylie Miniftei at C7/^j^oy>

T E R o. ^. They are mt vdidnt for the Truth upoK the earth. TuDE ver z. Itr^^^ needfuUfor me to write unto yon and exhort ^ yoTthltyoHihouU eirneflly contend for thefatth. r^hch rms

Le delivered mto the S^nts -Jorthere are cerminemen trept

in Hfiarvares^&c,

pubhftied by Authority,

lomdon,

Printed for Samuel Gel l ibran cat the Brafen Serpent in Pauls Church-yard, 1 6 4 5'

^ » FOR

The Rjght Honourable the Earle of Lauder daile Lord Metellane.

YOur Lorddiip, I trufl, will not bee difpleafcd tliat yournnmc is fct before thefe; Truths which your heart does love, and whereunto iu the beit companies of the whole Ifle you have given at many occafions yourchearfull countenance and zealous pairociny ; in the ftudy whereof I have-been oft both encouraged and affiilcd by your Lordlhipspiousjwife, and learned informat-ons.

It has been of a longtime the wifli of ray heart to have had nothing to do with Po- lemick writings J the bodies of Ibuldiersareno more fubje<5l to wounds and manifold hardftiipsjthen the minds and names ofdifputant Divines do lie open to various vexa- tions. The weary, ft^rvcd, bleeding fouldier longs no more for a fafe peace, then « fpiritharafled in the toylfome labyrinth of thorny debates, pants for that quietneffe which only the finall overthrow and full fubjugation of errour can produce. How plea- fant will that day be to the fonncs of peace, when the Lord fhall make geod that word which by the moutb of two of his ancient witneffas he has eftablifhcd, when according to the Teftimony of Ifaiah, fyllabically repeated by Michahy we fliall beat ourfwords into flowpienres, and our fpe ares into irrumng feoo^j, that we may tvallitogetber in the light of the Lord? Butiblong as Divine Difpenfation befets our habitations both fpirituall and temporall, the Church no Icfle then the State, with great numbers of daring and dangerous advcrfaries,we muft be content, according to the call of the Prophet loel in another cafe, to prepare tvarre^so beat our plorv-Jhears into frvords, and our pruniftghool^s l9el J.f« into Cpeares; in this junSurc of time the faint muft take courage, and the wea^jaj ■i amhrong.

It feems that yet for forae time the ferrants of God muft earneniy contend for many precious truths, which erroneous fpiriis do mightily impugne .* for the help and encouragement of others in that warfare, I, though among the weakeft of Chriftc fouldiers, doe offer thefe my endeavours. It was my purpofe to have made a farther progrcfle, and to have handled all I mention in my Preface j but being cald away from my prtfent ftation by thefe who fct me therein , upon the occafion your Lordfhip knowes, ray ftudies in this kinde are broken off; fo that this effay in Brown'ifme and Independency muft go forth alone, or nothing at all.

My ay en in thefe two i^ and was in all the reft ; Firft,in an hiftorick way to fet down the originall and progvefle of the eriour •, next its compleat parts together in one ta- ble, that at one view the whole face of the way may be repreftntcd ; fori conceived it ' lual^ wayes advantageous and very fatisfawtory in debating either a tfuthor an crrorj,

■i

»*

-t®

TheEpijile Dedicamy,

to be brought to lee tlie fountain and originall whence it haih fprung, the ftrcams and iflues whither the Tenet tends of it felfe, oris drawn by iis followers j to behold a way not in its pieces, but the whole together from the head to the feet, the bcgining, inidft, and end without any concealment or dirgiulc. Thirdly, my piirpofe was to have examined the principall parts of every errour in a flicrt,clcare, and popular method, confidering the mainc Scripmrcs that ufc to be alledged in the point eitherprs or contra.

I beleeve this my method will not be difpleafmg to a%. I know it was acceptable enough to many of the Congregationall way when lately I did ufe it againft the Can- terburian Faction ; but poflibly fomcofrhe matter of my hiflorick part may fall out to. befafliiousto the followers of the Tenets which I labour to lay open; for it is in- avoydablc to make a true and a full narration of any erroneous way, but fuch things muft be told which willbl difpleafing to feme ; yet I hope I have given as little of- fence in this kinde, as any other could have doae in fuch a way ofircatifin'g j for all ihe paflagesthat may be pungent of the tcndereft skin, are fuch, as not only I con- ceive to bee very true, but fuch alfo which lever make prefcntiy good byfufficient Teftimonics fttt!owne fully at the end of every Chapter in the expreflfe words of the Authors. Secondly, the opinions or praftifes I nlledge,3rcfuch as the parties them- fclvestochis day do openly a/ow^or elfel avebcene objefttdtothem by veryhoncft men long ago in print, and to this ■day:>.fo fane as I know, arc not taken off by any tolerable anfwer ; in all that is over and above, 1 will uadcrtiike to give ample fatis- faftion wherein foever I give the leaft offence to any.

I dare appcale to your Lordfhipsknowkdge, and to many others who have beenc acquainredwiihallmy by-go'ie wal ing, how averfe 1 bave ever been from cauHng gricfe to any, cfpeciall; gocd men : fo farre as I am confcious to my mod fecret in- tentions, it is my hearts defire that all our prefent controverfies might quickly either be ended or coriipofed by caln.e, meek, and peaceable meanes, and thefc alone.

That lately renewed Committee for Accommodation,Oh if it might pleafe the Lord to fhine upon it, however I may not flay to fee its fuccefle j yet vi^herever I am, my bcft wiihes ll all be poured upon it, cfpecial'y when I {hall heare, as I have great rea^i fon to beleeve is only intended, that it abides circumfcribcd within the bounds of that prudent Order whereby it is renewed.

For firft, that Order is fo fane from holding outanAccommodationfor all the feds of the Land, that it fpeak-s only of the differences that are among the members of the Afleirbly. Liberty of Confciencc, and Toleration of all or any Religion is fo prodigious an in piety, that this religious Parliament cannot butabhorre the very nameingof it. Whatever may be the opinion o( lo. Goodwin, oilAx fvifiiams and fomcof their (lamp, )et Mi S irrowes in his late Irenicon upon marvyunanfwerabjfe arguments explodes that abomination. Likewife our Brethren who fcek to be ac- commodate, will be willing 1 hope toprofefte their going along, with us, without any confiderablcd;ffent,as in the Diredory for all the parts of divine worlliip, fo in the confeffion of Faith and Catechifm.

Secontily,the Order cxprcffes only the differences in Chinch-government- what •ther opinions wee have mentioned in the following Treatife, I hope our Brethren will cither disavow and paffe from them, or elfe be content to bury them in their owne breaftsgtiil ugie andbettef informauoa niajicihcmdie and vanifli without Hofe my^^* '" ' -~''~'^ Tllirdlv^

TheEpifth Dedicatory,

Thiidly,the intent ot the Order istobrins; up the difTsnting Brethren to approve of the Government agreed upon in the Affembly and aliowedby bothHoufcsof Par- Jjament; or if that c.innotbe,to fee how in fomepraftifesthey may beforborn. This doch fuppofe thitour Brethren fliall not be permitted toprint, preach, or publilli any thing againft the Goverment eftiblifhed by Parliament; alfo that in theprafticeof this Government they iiiall be obhged to joyne fo farre with their Brethren as their principles may futfcr. This heing, I doubt not but in many things they (hall be much forbornj for whatever be the unadvifed rafhnefle offomc in their way, yet if they may be pkafed, nccording to iheir frequent offers ^as I remember) to be conflant n.embers of our Pr^r)ytciies and Synods, and thereto give were it but their conful- tativcvf-yce, 1 belecvc that few of them IhaU ever be preflcd to much mere j for if t^iey agree am :)ng themfelvcs, and governe well their owne Congregations, no con- trovcriie that concerns them will ever come Lefore anyfupcricur AlVembly ; and if any complaint of their mal<f adiriinirtration, or any matter of ordination or excommu- nication fhould come from them to be cognofccd in a Presbytery or Synod, the rcfulc might ever be to them as a matter of advice to be executed in their owne Congrcga* tionsby their owne Paftois, it they did finde it tight: or if it appeared wrong, the General] A {Fembly, oratlcafl the Parliament, would give thcmfo muchfatisfaftionj as on earth can be expefted.

Albeit I am in opinion, that no cafe mceily Ecclefiafticall fli all ever need ro goe ftoma General! Afsembly to a Parliament; thefe twobodiesare fo friendly andncarc of kin, that none who knowes their nature and conftitution will ever feafc their diG cord. I dare fay, that all the jealoufies which are presented to the Parliament of Eag. lando^z Nationall Afiembly, are meere Bugbcarej^and childifli frightments, arifing aloneout of roif-'.nformat on and unacquaintarcej for both reafon and experience will demopftrate that the Parliament of Eng'and cannot have on earth fo ftrong pillars andprcgna itfupportcrs of all their Priviledgcs, as free Protcflant Afsembliesefta- blifhed by Law, and kept in their full freedom from tbe lowcft to the higheft, from theCongregationall Elderfliip to ihe Generail Synod of the Nation, No filch Barres as thcfe are iTiaginable either againlt Tyranny or Anarchy j they are the mighticft impediments both to the exorbitancy of Monarchs , -which has been and is our mi- fery ; and ro the extravagancy of the common multitude, attempting to corred 2nd fubjccft all Parliaments to their owne foolilh defires, which is hke to be the matter our next excrcifc and troublCt

P.ottftant Afsemblies examined to tSe bottom, will be found rcall and cordiall friends toall the lull, Lcgall and rcafonable Pierognivcs of a Monarch, to all the equitable and p-ofitable Liberties of the meanefl Tub j eft j but above all to every due pnviledgeof a ChriftianP. rhament. Sometimes wc laugh, fometimes we grieve to fee men afraid out ofmeere ignorance with that which we know istheirgreatgood^ I am perfwaded that after a little experience, Congregationall Seffions, Gl-sfficaU I'icsbycerics, Provincioll Synods, and Nationall Afsemblies will be eirbraced and fluck toby the Parli.imcntof Eng(a?:d as the greateft and mod ufcfullpriviledges of 4icir gteac Charter.

My fourth remarkeupon the Order in hand is, that it fpcakes aloncof the queni» ons of Government, whereby the Aflfmblie was retarded, but nothing of the confii. iwtion oi Congregations which qcver came to any confi4«"8tiIe (i^UtCi much I'-ff*

' ^ ^ Mi

The Epifile Dedicatory,

did ever retard the Aircmblies proceedings ; and albeit the words of the Order might be extended beyond the Government to the confttucion, yet wcc may not' thinke thattheHoufe doth intend to tolerate the gacheriag of feparatc Congregations j in this pointvve hope that the de(ired accommodation Ihallfatisfi.' our Brethren, and all tolerations fhallbenecdleffe. Themfelvesarewitnsfles ofoiirmoft earncfl: Dcfires, of our very real! indeavours ,(and we will, they had been much more our helpers and reall AfTiftants) for purging of all Congreguions, To farasevcrtheyhaveb:eninany time,in anyplace, for making them fo void of ignorance and all fcandails as Scrip- ture or any reafon caarequire: InthcfeGurearneftrequeftswetruft the Parliament at lad will fliew us favour. Butwhenthc Affsmbly and I'udkmcnt have done their uttermoft, to have the Churches purified fo fane as is poftlbl .-, ifnotwithft.mdin^ of all that can be done, our Brethren willyet feparatc, and peremptorily rcfufe to com- municate as Members, in the beft ruled Congregations, cither of £s^/d«i^, or or any other reformed Church ; wee confifle, that by fuch a Declaration, our Brtthren wouMputustoagreatdsaleof perplcKityj for Tuch a reparation as this , were as we Conceive, the moft palpable and unrcifonabic Schifme that tveryet was heard of in cheChriftianWorld,muchcontrary loihewordof God , and evidently deftrudive oftheneceftary peace of all ihefe Churches wherein it ihould bee tolerated; bcfidc its clc arc contradiction in termes, notoncly to the Order of the Houfe, but to the folemn League and Covenant of the three Kingdomes. Notwiihftanding wee truft thatthe grace and mercy of God, fhall be fo richly powrcd out upon this revived Ccmmlttee, as (hall enable them to cxpedit both us and our Brethren from thefc o- therwifcunextricable Labirynths.

Would to God that our Controverfies with them were brought to a happy period, that both they and we, with all our power might concurre to reduce the reft of our poore Brethren, whothisday are pitifully intangled in manifold herefies and Er- rours, that foallthe children of God being delivered from thefmresandchainesof darknefle,might make it their great laske and only contention,who fhould honour moft ' the name of their Father,by the fragrancy of their godly, charitable, humble, chaftcj and foberconverfation.

Your Lordfhip is confciojs to the firft defigncsorthe Noble Patriots of that your

Nation, it v^as never their mind to have trifled fo much time in janglmg with their

I Brethren of ibis Ifle, about new and needleffequcftions, bat expcfting a facility of

fetling truth and Peace within thcfc Seas, their hearts were farther abroad , their

thoughts were large forihe propagation not of ther owne butof Chrifts Kingdome,

I and that not fo much in the Lightas in theheate and life thereof. They have the

1 moreto anfwerwhohere and elfewherc have been the unhappy inftruments, not only

I tofruftrate thcfe great and gracious cnterprifcs for the Weale-publick of Chriftcn-

dom", but alfo to bring the undertakers to (b low a condition, that they be obliged

I # thisday to God alone for any loUerable fubfiftence and their very being : albeit we

arc hopefullthe Lordis refcrvinggoodthingsfor them, whohadfomuchFaith, cha«

. i rity, and Courage, astoventureallforthecaufe of God, and their Brethren j The

! more Mnkind men have proved unto them, the Lord who haih been witncflc to all

I their intentions, aftions and fufferings , will in his owne time accordingly reward

t| them, and will not let them be afhamed of their firft hopes and conftant defires, up-*

\ \ «n die which hirafclfe for a long time did fliine fo evidently from the Heaven^ as ever

i ' upon

The Epiftie Dedicatory,

vpon any cnterprifeon the Earth, Though now that biightncfTc be much cccjipfcdj and overclouded, yet we arc expc<^ing with paflionate defires , and confident hopes, thed)fl'oIutionof thefecloudsj andthe difpellingof the prefent darkencfle, by the ftrer gth of the Beames of bis ancient and iindclervcd kindrefle, towards that now fuifcnng and much diftreffed Nation.

But infenfibly my pen hath runne beyond the boUntJs of a 'fliort Epiftlcj albeit my experience of your Lordfliips readincQe todi'^pence with your friends indifcretion, makes mc fccure of my pardon. 1 will dctainc your Lordfliip no longer, I lay downc my Booke at your Lordlhips feet, to be given to the world by your Lordfhips hand. Ifii be received with fo mudi candor and charity by every Reader, as t know it is offered, it may pofTibly prove ferviccable« Thus wilhing toyour Lord-> fliipinthefedayes of deepe and dangerous try alls, and too great defcftion of many, conftancy , and daily in.reafe of alfedion co ail truth, Piety, luftice, and every V€ituc, Ircmainc,

London^ Novemh, if. Your Lordfhips in all Chriftiao

i6d^'^. duty to be commanded,

. % 'Baylie.

The Principall Anthors,whoreTeftimonics areciccdia

thecafeofthe Byaj^-wi/Fj.

X ''T^HeBroTvTi'iHsconfeftonof Faith printed by thmfelvcs. itfoi

X X. The BrorvmfisApo egy pri/ited,i6o^

S 'B.obcitEiownts Life,ar4d manners of true Chri[lfanipr'inttd. ij8»

4 Henry Barrow his bricfe dfi overy ofihefalfe Chu ch. i^cio

5 Henry Barrow hisptaine refutation e/MrGiftoid, 1^9.3. tf Francis lohnfons enquiry a^;darifa>er to Thomas Wn.tes uifcovery o/?»rownirHi,i^e^

7 I r inciS lohnfons c^rifl an p!et, i6ij,

8 lohn Cann\hisguideto Sio/iy 1638

9 lohnC&nn his necefity of Separation, i^jS.

Apologia lufta quon<nJamGhriftianorum, &c. pet IohannctnRobinfo;uni.rtfJ9

II KobinCons iuliifientiofiagainji Bernzti rep inted at London, 1^40

IX SyoNsroyall prerogative J 1^41. ■I J /I Light for the Ignorant, i^fjS.

The Principall Authors whofeTeftimonies are cited in the cafe of the Indei tndenli^ 1.. 4An ApoUgelkall t^arvation by Tho mas Goodwin, &c, \^i a lohnQoitousKjeyeipubli^edby'Thom'. Goodwin, awd Philip Nye. 1^44, 3 lohnQoix-oViSway of the Church jinUeve-f-ngland, 1^47, ?V ^ lohnCottorxsSermoniupon the [even yialls. 11543.

5 lohnCottotis Catechifmet or the DoSlrinc of the Church, ii<\4.

6 An Anfwer to thirty trvo ^e^ionSy by the Elders ef the Churches in Vew'Englmd^ pub" iijhedby Mr. Peters. 1^45. ^

7 An Apology of the churches in New-En gland for Church'Covenant i or a difcourfe touching Church.Covcnant, 1^43 .

8 A glimpfe of Syons glory in a Sermbn at a gmerall Fajl-day tn Holland, by G^ primed al\.onAon. i<»4i. ' ,

9 leremy Burrowcs ^frwowiwpes Ho/?fl. 1^44.

10 The per fonall r aigiie 0 f chrijl by \o: Richer J Pdjlor of the Church at hvnhdm, rg^^

11 lo: hrchcrs comfort for Beleevers. 1647. II Mr. Burtons vindication of the I ndepeffdent Churches, i^^f, i^ lohn Goodwins rfefOwa^W^i. 1^44. 14 A fhortfiorj/ of the rife^ rcigne andruine, &c.pubH^ed. rvUh Mr. W elds large Preface^

If Mr^^eldsanfyver to K:ithhan% narration. i6;^4,

16 Mr Cotton? Zc/fej'fo Mr. William*. i<t^

17 The Anatomi[l anatomifed by Mr Simioa, 1^44,

We cite alfo for fbme matters offad, to which no fatisfaftory Anfwer hath been made hitherto by the Parties.

X Mr'Eiw^iird^Antapologie. 1^44.

2 A/^' Williams fAfl;a/»«nMo/ Cottons imcr. l^-}4.'

3 ^/^• Williams Moody Tr«c£. 1^44.

4 Pliinedealtng, <r Nctveifrom New-England by Thomas Lechford. -1^4 t,

5 The Anatomy of l>>de pendency, by a Learned Mim[fer of Holland. 1^4^, ^ 2)o<.^(7>-Paftwictcs Peflfcript. 164^.

The CONTENTS of the

following Treatife.

The Preface

THe chief e andfirfi meafie to extingnijh thejlames of our warre, is^ the waters of our heart poured out in prayers to God.Vigtt Reformation after mourmng,is thefecondfiep to afoUdpeace^ p. s The corruption of thel^hurch^is the fount aine of our prefent mi» fery, ibid.

77?^ State cannot befetled till the Ch urch be firji reformed^ 5

Every man vfould help -what hee can to recover the langttijhin^

Church from her dejperate difeafe, ^ ibid.

The ojfer ofafirange and eafie remedy of a Lo oki^g'glajfe^ 4

The malignity of Err our ^ ibid»

The Authors intention*^ tofet down in a Table for the cleare vitiv

of all, the errours which troub/efUf - ibid,

^And that with luflice and Love toward all perfons^^ 5

The partition of the enfuing Treatife^ 6

fpifcopacy vooi the mother of all 0 ur prefent Se^Sf ibid.

Presbytery will be their grave f , y

The Presbyteriall way of proceeding, ib id

IVhat England rationally may expert from Presbyteries and Sy,

nodSj 8

Chap. I.

TheorigUiallaftd ptogrcfie of the Browftifls.

Satan ii the great enemy of the ^hurches Reformation^ f

Hia chief e injiruments always s have been prcfejj[ed friends 1 9 Rem

Ugion^ ibid.

Reformmm at the begining did run with one impettiem current^

ibid. what was its ^rjl fiop^ xO

The foi4maine of Protefimt difcordy ibid.

>crr,j»*r-

The Contents.

The unhappy pn-ruiple of theLu&itnvxi, ^ ibid«

jifjd the more unhappj principle of the Anabaptifls, i r-

Someffhat oj both thefe wayes Vfas entertained in England, ibid^ The orijr^i^iAU of the EngliQi Bifliops and Ceremonies, ibid.

The ffrigi»a/lofthvScpznt.')0iij is

Browniftn u 4 daughter f/Anabapttfm, 1 j

Bolton thefirfi known Separatijt England hanged him f elf e ^\\nd. Brown the fecond leader of that rfajirecantedhisfchifm^ andte his death voas a verj fcandaloui perfon^ ibid.

The humcur of Barrevv the third mafter of this SeU^ j ^

The flrange carriage of lo\\i\'iona}id ^^iVii^oxih^ the next tfvo lea- ders of the'^io^vix^^t ibid, 'Xhe horrible wayes of Sen ith their ^xth mafii^r, 1 «j . '^he fearfnll end of S tnith his wandrinasj 1 $ Robii^fon/^tf lafi grave atsd learned Do ^or of the Bioy/mHsf did in the end-H/ider mine his party ^ 17 Robinfon the HHthonr of Independency, ibid*

Ghap. 2;

The Doflrine of the Brovtnifis. They hold that all (fhurches in the rverld, bm their oys>n, arefo poU

Imed, that they rnufl be feparatefrom , 20

Their injurious flinders oj the Church c/EngUnd, ibid.

Tetfometimes they [ay, that communton maybe kept Kvith her both

in preaching and prayer^ ibid,

Their like dealing with all the other Reformed^ 21

Their flattering offerraign Churches ts not to be regarded^ ibid. The matter of a Church they mak^ to be reaHSaints only, 2 2

Their unreafonable flriUnejfe in this one pointy is the great caufe of ■> their Schifm, ibid*

They place the forme of their ^hurch in an expreffe Corjenanty 3 5 Seven may mak* a perfeSl Churchy yea two or three ^ ibid.

The ere^ling of a Churchyre^uires neither the'Magifirates nor Alt-

niflers affiflance^ ibid.

They put all Church power in a handfull of people^ without any

Faflor^ 24

Tiie ele6li'>»y ordinatioHydepofttion and excommunication of the Mi'~

nifler^ belongs to hufiocf^y 4ffd 1 0 it alone ^ ibid.

Every.

The: CoQCcn s.

Every mA^ of the Congregation mAy preach, andpuhltkelj Yibuke, not only the Pajior^ but the whole fiock^^yeos. and feparate from

it, 25

Some of them give the celehation »j the S'^craments alfo to private

perf'ons, ^ ibid.

Thefolemnizing of marriage they give to VarentSyhnt Divorces they

commit to theparties thernfelves, 26

They mak^ e^iery Congregation independent ^ and of Soveraigne

Aftthority^ ibicf;

"Thetr jadgement of Synods ^ VJ

Thetrhtgh conceit of their own way^ and injur iom depr effing of alt

othersf ibid.

Chiirchesy Bils^Tythes, giehs^ Manfef, and all fft maintenance

of Mtniflers ^areunUTvjull'^ notfo much as a Church^ yard mufi

he kspt Up for huriaU, but allmufi bury in the fields ^ ibid.

The d'lyesofthe week^, the months ^ theyeareofGod, they will not

namcy 28

iV<? Pulpits, no Sand- glares in Churches ^no gowns y ibid,

Allfet prayer^ even the Lords prayer, aud aU Pfalms in meeterl

yea tn profe^ ifufed as praifes, are unUicvfull, 29

Their opinion of preaching and SacramentSy ibid#

Their Jlrange way of celebrating the Lords Supper^ ibid.

They rejell C atechifmes ^ the Apo^les Creed ^ and aH reading of

Scripture without expo fition^ 5 o

After preaching they prophecy y ibid.

Then come their J^eflionSy ibid.

After all^ they attend a very tediom difcipiine^ ibid.

Vtxo^Vi is for liberty of Confcience^ ibid«

Hii followers are againfi it y 51

Thetr carriage towards the CMagifirate, ;bid,

They fpoyle Kings and Parliaments of their Legijlative power^

ibid* They oblige the Magiflrate to ki^all Idolaters^ ibid.

But to Ipare afl theeveSj 52

They wul have the Vmverjities dejlroyed, ibid-.

Secular tAuthors and Learning mufi be abolifhed^ ibid.

Preachers mPtfi fludy no other books but the Bible ^ ibid-,

f i ' ' Chap.

r

The Contents.

Chap. 3.

The or'jginail and progrcfle of the Independents, and ofthcir

carriage in Nerv. England.

Independency « thsfmaUefi of all the SeUt of the time for numher,

hutgreatel^for worth of its followers, ^ 5

Independents ^rs the Scpararirls of-Jprifig^ ibid.

when the jpark.of^io\Nm(m tv as dying ont inWoWiwAi a little ef

its ajhes carried to New- England/ro^f oat there into a Ufing

flame y 54

IS) what meanes thefe aJhes were kindled^ ibid.

jilr Cotton at firft a great Oppo/ite to that way^ 5 5

Mt Cotton With little adoe , became the great Patron of that

Erroary ibid;

iJHx Cotton was the mif leader of Mt Goodwin and others, ^6 iJMi Cotton often deceived^ hath given his patrocinj to divers

grojfe trronrSi ibid.

Why Cjod permits great men to fall in evident errours^ ibid*

//*/ Prclaticall, Atminian, ^WMomaniftick/^«f?j, 57.

His Antinomy aiid Fam:lifm, ibid.

Jadc^endtncy full as unhappy ai Brownifmc, ^g

Whereforefo much of the Independent way lies yet indar^nejfe, 5 9 Thefimts of Independency in New-England, ib d,

Firfl, it hath put thanfands of Chrifiians in the condition of Pa*

gansy ibid#

Secondly ^ it hath marred the converjiou of Pagans to Chrifiian

Religion, 60

Thirdly, it did bring forth the foulefi herejies that ever yet were

heard of in any Protefiant Church, ibid.

^ few examples of the many abominable herejies ef the 2{ewm

Englifh Independents , 6 1

The great eft part of their ^hurches were infe^ed with thefe

grrours, ibido

The piety of thefe Hereticksfeemed to be fingular^ ibid.

Their maltce againft all who oppofed them^ was fingular ^ ejpecially

againft all their orthodox Miniftersdnd MagtftrateSy 62 Their err ours in opinion did draw on (nch feditious pra^ifes, as did well ncm ov^rtfirfie both their Chffrch and State^ ibid .

7 heir

The CoDtenrs.

Their proud ohfti'^acy againfi aUadmonitions^rp AS marveloHS^ p. 6^

In the midfi o J their profejfion ef emtnent Tietj^the profanene^e^f

manj of themvpAs oreatf p. 64

Notwithfiandi^^ of a/It hid we dejtrejrom our heart to honour yayid

imitate all and evtry degree of truth and Piety ^ wi i'jh did ever

appeareina;«yKcVi-Engh(i\Chriftia»y p.65

Chapl 4.

The carriage of the Independents in Holland at Rct.rda/n znday^rnheinfy r»75* Independency 7i'<t4 no fruitfull tree in Holland, F*? J

Mr l?ctcrs the frf} planter there!>f at Roittdzm, ibid.

Their A/iniJ}erSjA<[r, Bridge, Afr Siw^ font and Afr Ward, re^ noftnced their Englifli Ordination^ and as metre private men tGoke new Ordination from thepeople^ ibid.

They did ^uickjy fall into JhantefuUdivifons and fuhdivifions,^. "jS The people rpiihout anyjuH caufe depofedtheir Minijter^ ibi?«

TheSchifmesatKotildzm Tvere more irreconcilea fie then thofc at AmfltrJam, p. 77

Anabaptifme is like to (poiU that Church, 78

.1 Thefe of Aih\iiimtadmire and fraife themfelvet above all mea^ fttre, ibid.

The eaftne^e of their hahifhnjent aydajfii^ions, . p. yp

The new Lf^ht at Axnhcitn^i>roksftt in a number ojjlrange error s,\b* Firfijgrojfe Chiliafine. ' ibid*

Secondly ^the grolfefi blaffhemj of the Liberiinef, that God is the Author efthe very finfulnejfe of fmne, p. §0

Thirdlj^the fancy of the Euthufiafts, in contemplating god as God abflra^edfrom Script fircy from Chrift,fromgrace, and from allhisattribmes, ibid.

Tourthly^theold Vopifh Ceremonies of extreme Un^lioQ , and the holy Kijfeof peace* p. 8e

Ftfthly the dtf charging of the Tfalmes^and the apointing of a ^ngm ing Prophet, to chantihe Songsmade byhimjelfe^inthefilence of allothers, ibid.

Sixthly ^the mortality of thefoule, ibid*

Seventhly ^the cenveniency for Minijiers topreach covered, andce- hbratethj SacrawcntJ nncovercd ibutf^r the people to he are

'"^ - n.iCQvereds ,

The Concenrs.

ptnco veredy and to participate the SacrantefJts co ver.cd* p . 8 i' Their pai/ifckjc^ntentioMs rvert Jhameff*^* ibid»

Cap. 5.

T\\tQ9.xr\iigzo^l\\c Independents ^l London, p. po

^Therocrke of the prime Independents <?/ New-England, Amhcim,

and Kotcidi\n ^thefe five yeares at London. p, ^o

7 hey did hinder rptth all their power fo long as they recre nbUy the

calling of the AflTembly, ibid,

when it wxi calledy they retarded its proceedings^ V'9^

That ih Churches ^/England and Ireland iyefo long in ccnfnjwn^

neither Papifts J nor Trelates nor M^ltgnants have been the

caufe^ ibid.

Bat the Independents working according to their Principles^ P- 9* The ^reatmifchiefe of that Anarchy tvherein they have ^pt the

Churches ©/"England, and ltchnd,forfff long a tinsey ibid.

IiK^cpendency isthe mother ef more Here/tes and Schifwes at hon*

doily the» Amfl< riana ever k^ew, ibid;

Independency at \^ow\on doth not only bringforthy but no nr if:? and

patronize Herejies and Schifmes^ contrary to tts ctifiome either

New- England of-Amfterdam, p.93*

HoTv hazardous it may prove to the State o/England, p. ^4

Chap. 6.

An Enumeration of the Comn:on Tenets of the Independents.

p. 1 01

why it is hardtofet dotvnethff Independents Pojttions^ p. lOI

7 hey have declined to declare their Tenets ^more then hath ever

been the cnfiome cfany Orthodox Divines^ ibid.

fVhen they JhMl be pleafed to declare themf elves to the fully thetr

principle of change TPill hinder them to a^ftre tts that any thing

is their fet led and firme Tenet wherein they rvill be conjlant^ ibid.

The ehiefe Tenets which hitherto they have given ofst^ and not yet

recalled, p. 101

T 'fey reject the^namif ff Indcf indents unreafonably ^and for their

owne dij.idvantage ; ibid.

fvhen tt is laidajidc , the more infamous name of Brovvnifls and

SepaiatifU^'/V/ inevitably fall sspon them, ibid,

7hey

The Contents,

Tioty avow a Semi Sepiration^^^/ a Scfqui-Scpatation rvtll he proven ttponthew. ^03

T^je Independents doefefarate from all the reformed Churches^ upon f AY verfe grounds then the Browiiifts were vont^tofeparfite cfold^ ibid.

Their tichnoreltdgemsnt of the reformed for true Churches 9 doth Kot diminifh but increafe their Sck ifme^ ibid»

*Thej refufe all Church Commnnitn^ and Member [hip in all the reformed Churches^ ibid*

They preach and pray in them xi the) "wttilddoe among pagansj 9n» Ij Oi giftedmen to gather materials for theirnero C hurches. p^io^

About the matter of the Church ^and qualification of Member Sy they are large Oi firi^ as the Brownifts, admitting none but wh!> convinces the v^hole Congregation of their reall regenerati- Beside true grace^^he J re quire in theperfon to be admit ted^ afut^'- b lenejfe of Spirit y>oith every other Member, Io5

But tn this they are l*xer then tht B :ownifts, that they can take in nithoutfcruple^ATiabipti&s^ Aotinomians andotbers^who both in life andDoUrine have evident blots, iffo they be Ktalou4 and ferviceablefor their veay, ibid;

\A bout the firms of the Church (a Church -Covenant) they are morepunlluall then the Brownifts. ibid.

Thry take the p^yver of gathering aud ereBing of Churches, both from Magiflrates and Mtm(lers , placing it onely in the hands of a few private Chrifimns ypho are willing to make among them- fetves a Church' Covenant* ?• I^Z

Th'-^ power of ere^ingthemfelves into acompleat and per fit Churchy they give to any [even perfons^yea to any three', neither admit t they more into a Church then can altogether in one place com* modioujly admimflerthe S/icraments and T)tfcipline^ ibid,

2^heludtpcndenisti>i//h^ve4ll the fianding Churches in England

except them of the SeU:aries diffolved^ and all their Mmifieri

to become meerely private men, and any three perfons of thetr way

to b:af unchurch^ p. lOg'

Ynto this Church of f even perfons^ they give aJland the whole church porv errand that independently, ibid.

V/tt^f^^ gongrcgacionall Church alme^they give the full povcer

The Content?.

of Ele6iion and Ordmatt9»,of1)epojtnon and ExcommHnic4m

tion^ even of all their Officer s^and ofthefinaH determination of

all EccleJiafiicallffaufeSy p# lop

The difereneeof lohnfon and Ainrworth , about the power of the

people and Vreshjterie diflinhl one from the other , « not jet com*

fefedamongthe Independents, ibid.

The common D(7<^r/W<?/Nevv-Englatid « Ainfworths Tenet ^that

the people alone have all the power , and may excommnntcate

"when there is canfe^all their Officers ^ ibid«

Mr^ Cotton the other yeare did fall much from them and himm

felfetoyvards lohnfon, teaching thatthev^ho^e power of Authsm

ritj is onely in the Officers , and the people have notl. i i^ hnt

the power of Liberty to concurrei That the.Offiicers can doe nom

thing without the people , nor the people any thing bnt by the

Officers. IIO

Yet that both Officers and feople or any of them^ have power to fe*,

parate themfelvesfrom all the refi when they finde caufe^ ibid»

T^(f London Indepcndants give more power of Ecclefiafiicatl [Hrif-

diSlion then the Brownifts, ttnto woemen^ p. 1 1 1

Some of them permit private men to celebrate the Sacraments ^

ibid; Brownifts and Independents doe perfectly agree rtthepelnt of In- dependency, ibid; Jfa. corrupt or negligent Congregation doe net cenfure thiir owne iJKemberSf aUthe Affiembliesin the world may not attemtt to cenfure any of them , though mofi apparently they did corrupt a yphole Nation with the grojfeth Herefies , or mofi fcandaloHS vices ^ p. 112 yhe point of Independency ^ either the root, er thefrt.it of many Errours, ibid.' To temper the crudity thereof^ thejadde to it three moderating Po* fhionsjfutfor little purpofe, ibid. They grant the beittg of Synods, but not ofClafficaH 'Presbyteries.

p. 113

Their Synods are mterely Browniflicall without all lurifdi^i n,

therein every one of the people may voyce ; alfo they are meerely

ECeUive and only occafionall^ ibidj

l[ke Sentence of nonmCommumon ii LMr^ Coitom invention, to

fupply

The Contents

ft*ppiy that defe£i which themfelves maks *'^ f^^ Ordinances of god, ibices

!t put sin the hand of every mM a power to fentence Ml the Churches ofthelVorld, F* ^'4

Tt carries to the highfi decree of Separation, ibid*

Their fftpplj of the defers of Independency, ^j the psiver of the Magijirateyyvoi a remedy which they learned from the Bro wniftsj hut now they have cafl tt afide^ denying to tht A'laffiflrate all .power in matters &f Religion y 1 1 j

'ihe Independents doe advance their jtincies^ to oi high a pitch of glory as ^^^ Brovvnifts, ibi<^e

Ihey are the Brownifts Scholhrs in many more t^.i igs\ he fide the confiitutioH and government vfthe Churchy ibido

They give to the Magi fir ate the celebration ef Marriage, ibid.

Jidr, Million permits any man to put away his wife Mpon humeere pleafHrt without any faulty and without the cognifance ef any Indge^ p, Ii5

^rGortmg teaches the wife to put away her Huf^and, if he will not follow her in any new Chnrchmway which Jhe iipleafed to evs- brace, ibida

They are againft all determinations efthe cirettmUances of Wor^m fhip^ and therefor* all Church D ire^ories are againfi their fiom macksy ibidj

The common names of the dajes of the week^ , efthe Months of the yeare^ of they ear e of ^ok^ of many Churches and Cities of tht Land,are as unlawfukto them as to the Browtiifts, i^id«

'All Tythes andfet'inayntenance ofMintfters they cry downe, IjHt a

voluntary contribution for the maintenance of all their Officers

. they pre je to 4 high proportion ^ with the evident prejudice of the

poorCf f* 117

In their folemne TVorfhip^o ft times they make onetoprayy another to preach, a third to Prophejte, a fourth to dire^ the Pfalmff and another to bleff^ thefeople, ibid.

They makeit a divine Infiittttion without any word of preface, to begin the puhlickjVw fhip mthfolemn prayer for the King and Church, p. iiS

Aft<r the Paliors Fray er, the DoChor reads and expounds,

ibid*

5'^. " -^*

The Contents.

Jnfreaehing^thej will be free P9 t^ks ^^le^ct ornot^M thejjindit expedient, ibid,

j^fter the Sermon, 4»y ofthe people rvhom the j thinkeal^lej arepet" mitted to py-ophefef iW^.

All dre permitted to propound in the face of the CongregAtion^ what cjuefiions upsnthe Sermon they thinks meet, ibid.

About the^f mimes they h^ive divers firange conceits, b/tt the^ech- mUu their new Ordinance of a ^nging Prophet , whi ka place of. the Pfalmesfingeth Hjmmes of hisowne making in the midfl of thefllent Congregation, ibid.

They grant theUwffilne^eofreadfrayers in diverfe cafes, P. 1 19

They will have none to be baptifed but the children of their owite LMfmbers ; fo at one da/h they pnt all England except a very, few oftheiy way, into thefiate of Pagans ftMrning them all out of the (^hrifiian Church, den) i g to them SacramentSfTfifcipUne, Chttreh.Officers and all that theywenld deny to the P^agans of America, ibid,

^hejfopenadoore to Kmhipu(me by threefarther Pojiriens, Ftrfl, the) require in allts be baptifed areallholine^e above a fjederal/j, , which in no Irfant with any certainty can befoundy ibid,

Sieeondly, they efieeme none for their Baptifnu and Chriftian eiucam^ tiona Member of their Church -^ till they have entred them- felves in their Church Covenant, p. 1 20

"thirdly ^ they call none of their Aiembert to any accompt before their 'Presbytery for obfiinatere]etling of Pado.baptifme^ although the Bro wnifts doe excommunicate for thatfinney ibid; .

they participate with none of the reformed Churches in the Lords-^ Supper J yet tbeyfcruple not to communicate with B ro wnifts an d Anabaptifts, . ibid*

Their way of celebrating the Lords Supper yis more ditdand com* fortle^e then anywhere elfe, . p. 1 1 1

They have no catechijing, no preparation, nor thankf^'giving^Ser^* mens j ordinarily they fpeake no word of the Sacrament in their S ermonj and prayers ^either before or after^ ibid.

T'hej have onely a little dijcourfe , and Jhort prayer in the confe^ cration of both the E/ementfijhereafter, in the aCtion notf. ing but dumbjilenccy no exhortation^ no reading,no Pfalme, 1 bid, .

They require npne of their Members to come tttt of their Perns to ' ' ' _ ' " ' ~^] ■"" " the^

ri^iiiliBf Tt-rt

The Content

the TahUj 4»d thej dcl^Mowledge no men «#/> ofd Tai/ff then the Brown\{\s at An\{\etda,mtwh$ch have noffi at aff^ ibid,

Vhej teach the expediency of covering the head at the Lords Trf- l>le. p. 111

Theym-e as much for the popular Government *s ths Brownift?,

ibid.

^^i^HDifciplinemftfi ke executedin thefrefence andwith theconfent of the whole ^e9ple^ and a/l mufi pajfe hy the expreje fujjrage of every one^ 125

^iffenters not oMtly loofe their riyht of Sufrageforthe time , but are fuhje^ed to cenfitre if they continue in their dtjfetttf ibicf .

*rhey are much for private meetingsfor it ii in them that they ufuaUy jrame the Members of other mens Congregations into their new mould; ^«f/^rBrownifts, ^WrA^^^/Ncw-England havings felt the hitter fruits of fuch meetings^ have relint^uifmedif not difcargedthem, ibid.

^heyflntter the Magiftrate, andfiander the reformed Churches without caufif p, ij^

^ome ef them are for the aholijhingof all Magtjtracy, ibid,

^H of them are for the cafiingout, and keeping out of the ChHfti^ an Church all Prince i'^all Members of Parliament , allMagi» ftratesof the Counties and Burrowes that now are ^ and that ever have been ^and are ever It^e to^e hereafter^ exeept a very fevf, p. 125

Thefe few Magif rates which they would admit y have no fecuritj but by the errour or malice of a few, to be quickly eafi out of the Church without any pojftbility of remedy, ibid ,

When they have put all who are not of their mind out of the places ef Ma:giflracy, yea out ef aU Civill Courts j the greatejt Ma*, gifirates they admitt of^ be they KtHf^s or 'ParUamentt, they (ubjeH them all to the free Will of the promifcuefss mitltitnde<f

ibid«

when Ma gifirates will not follow their new erroHrs, they have been

very ready to mak£ Injurrettions te the great ijamard of the

whole StatCf p. 1 46

2l^any of them deny to the Magifirate-any pewer 4t4liinthe mat- ters of Religion, ibid,

^hetr principles doe fpoiU princes and p4rli4mtnts^ their whole

ff ji £egifUtm

The Contents.

Legijlativt power '^they dbolijh all humane Lawes that are made ^ Andhi»der any more to ^e made, V* ^'^7

the CiVtilLawes which LMr CoitOtifermitsfHente make, binde no man any further then hU oyene windU led by the reafon of the Laxp Obedie^cei p. i y8

Theyfftt the yoke of the ludiciall Law o/Mofes ontheneck^ofthe Magtftrate^ ibid.

They give ta their Minifters a power to fit in Ctvill Courts^ andta voyeein theeleClion of the Magiftrates^ and to draw from Scrips tnre civill Lawesfor the Government of the State^ ibicf.

They cffer to perfwade the MagiBrate contradiUory Principles ae* cordingto their 6wneintere^\ in Ncw-EngUnd /^^-^ perfwade the Magifirate tokill Idolaters and Heretickj \ even whole Cim ties^menywominandchildren, p. 129

Mfit here they deny the Magiflrate all power to lay the left refiraint upon the gro^eft Idolaters, ApoHates, bla^hemers^ Seducers j erthegreatefl Enemies of "B^ligion^ ibid,

No great appearance of their refieU to fecftlar Learning and Scheles^ ibid,

Jndcpcndency mttch more danger out then Brownifmc, ibidi

Chap, 7. Itisurjuft fcrupulofity to require fatisfai^^ionofthecrue grace of every Chuich Member»

T^r Independents pr<WPH»c«p/<r^^ p, ij^.

Its wtjH^ fcrupulofity to re^mre fatitfatlorie ajfftrance of the true grace of every Ckurch^Member^ ^5^

Their Tenet about the qualification of Members, ii the great caufc- of their feparating from all the reformed Churches Jthough they dee dijfembleit^ ?* ^S%

Jnthis they goe beyond the Br 0}nM9, P* ^1^

The truefiateof the <jueJlion,is^ whether it be neceffary tofeparate. from a Church wherein we get nofatisfa^ionof the true grace »f every Member at their fi^ admtj^on? ibid.

lor thene^ativeywereafonfirfl from the praBice ^/Mofcs andthg Prophet Sy who did never offer tofeparate for any fueh reafon ^-^^ 15^

%he caufes of ajufifeparmon i^ertJmnUtr under the Law nor unm dtr the go^ell^ ' -■■--' jj^.j

The Contents.

Ourfecond reafon ufrom the example of Chrifi and ht-s Afofiles^ Mfh 0 did notfefAYAtefo r anjfuch caufes > P i 5 8

The third reafon Jt u ir//fcffikte tofinde true grace £Verj membtr ef arty vifhle Church that ever tvasy or Jhall be tn the worlds

p. 159

ThefoHrth^ThisfAtifaUionin the trne grace of all to be admitted, is bhildedonfoure erroeirsy p. ido

7 he fifth ^ArgHwefit, Their Tenet u followed with diverfe abfnr^ ditiesy p^ idl

Qonom reafoHs to the contrary Aufwered^ P* ^^5

irhefirfireafoMfM in forme, ibid»

^11 the parts of it are vitiow^ ibid

Hufecond ArgutneMty p. 1 68

His third %/irguwe«tx 1^9

His fourth t/4rgtimenty p. 170-

His fifth, p. 171

Hufixtht P»'7i

Vis f eve nth y jbid*

His eigth, p. \j^

Hii ninth j all hit vine or tifvehe Reafont pttt in one, wiS be too weak^ t i he are uf the weigl. t ofhU mofi heavy condnfiSn^

Ghap. 8.

Conccrhing the right of Prophefylng^

Theflateofthe ^lueHioH. 174.

The frfi ^Authors of this ^efiion. ib^

T-^if Independents dtfftre nee among themfel«j?s hereabout i ib.

That none but Miniffers may ord.n trilj frophefycytve prove itfirji^

by Chrifls joy ning together the power of Bapfijme andthepow^

er of preaching* 175.

Secondly iThefe that preach^muft be font to that workf* ib »

Thirdly, every ordinary