2. If only civil divisions of men that may conveniently be taught by one pastor, and ruled by elders, whereof some may be fit to partake of all the ordinances, some not, as Presby- terians esteem them, then by this way they receive no injury, nor are abridged of any of their privileges.
Obj. 2. This is to erect churches amongst churches, and against churches.
Am. "No such thing ; but a mere forming of one church with one presbytery.
Obj. 3. It is against the parliament's ordinance to as- sume a power of admitting and excluding of church members, not exactly according to their rule, nor subordinate to the supervising of such as are appointed by them.
A71S. 1. For the rules set out by ordinance, we conceive that the church officers are to be interpreters of them, until appeal be made from them, unto which we shall submit ; and if it be so determined against us that any be put on our com- munion,'ipsi viderint,' we shall labour to deliver our own souls.
2. Though the parliament forbid any but such authorita- tively to be excluded, yet it doth not command that tiny be admitted but such as desire it; and we shall prav for such
f2
68 A COUNTRY ESSAY FOK THE PRACTICE
a blessing upon the work of our ministry, as will either pre- pare a man for it, or persuade them ' pro tempore' from it ; unless they be stubbornly obstinate, or openly wicked, against whom we hope for assistance ; unto objections arising from trouble and inconvenience, we answer, it cost more to redeem their souls.
The God of peace and unity give the increase.
' Si quid novisli rectius istis,
Candidas imperii, si iion, his utere.'
And this is all which for the present I shall assert in this business, and this also is my own vindication : time and lei- sure may give me advantage hereafter (if God permit) to deal seriously in this cause; in the mean time, it is not unknown to many, that so much as this was necessary for me to do, and I will not add now any thing that is not necessary.
Now for the other head of the accusation about tolera- tion of errors/ philosopharevolo,sedpaucis,' something I shall add of my own present judgment in this matter, but with willing, express submission unto those, whom the use and experience of things, wath knowledge of foreign parts, skill in the rules of commonwealths, acquaintedness with the affections and spirits of men, have enabled to look punc- tually into the issues and tendencies of such a toleration. The main prejudice against it arising from the disturbances which it naturally (they say) produceth in civil states. I conceive no sort of men more unfit to judge of this, than those, whose abilities of learning do properly put them upon the discussing of this, and other controversies, as far as they are purely ecclesiastical ; no men more frequently betraying narrowness of apprehension, and weakness in secular affairs. For other consequences, I shall not be much moved with them, until it be clearly determined whether be worse, he- retics, or hypocrites ; to maintain an error, or counterfeit the truth ; and whether profession upon compulsion be accept- able to God or man :'' laying those .aide, let the thing itself be a little considered.
Peace ecclesiastical, quiet among the churches (which without doubt would be shaken by a universal toleration), is that which most men aim at and desire. And truly he that doth not, scarcely deserves the name and privilege of
4 Hostis ab animo libenti accipiuntur. Tertul.
OF CHURCH GOVEKXMENT THERE. 69
a Christian; unity in the Scripture is so pressed, so com- manded, and commended, that not to breathe after it argues a heart acted by another spirit than that which moved the holy penmen thereof. But yet every agreement and con- sent amongst men, professing the name of Christ, is not the unity and peace commended in tlie Scripture : that which some think to be Christ's order, may perhaps be antichris- tian confusion; the specious name of unity may be a cloak for tyranny. Learned men have reckoned up a sevenfold unity"" in the papacy, all which notwithstanding are far enough from that true evangelical unity, which we are bound to labour for. Again, that which is good, must be sought in a right manner, or it will not be so to us : peace and quiet is desirable; but there must be good causes and very urgent, to make us build our habitations out of others' ruins, and roll our pillows in their blood : I speak of things ecclesiastical. The historian* makes it a part of the oration spoken by Galgacus the chieftain of the British forces, to stir them up against the Roman insolency, that when they had finished their depopulations, then they said they had peace: the same men have set up bishoprics in the Indies, as their forefathers did colonies here and elsewhere, with fire and sword. I know not how it comes to pass, but so it is, this proceeding with violence in matters of religion hath pleased and displeased all sorts of men, however distin- guished by a true or false persuasion, who have enjoyed a vicissitude of the supreme power in any place, in supporting or suppressing of them : * ure, seca, occide,' is the language- of men backed with authority : ' quod tibi fieri non vis, al- ter! ne feceris,' say the same men under oppression: to give particular instances, were to lay open that nakedness, which I suppose it my duty rather to cover. What then, you will say, shall every one be suffered to do what he pleaseth?' You mean, think or believe what he pleaseth, or that which he is convinced to be a truth. Must all sorts of men and their opinions be tolerated ? These questions are not in one word to be resolved : many proposals are to be confirmed,