OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT THERE. 85
things in this kingdom, that the work of recovering his worship to its purity, and restoring the civil state to its li- berty, should be both carried on at the same time by the same persons. Are there none now in this kingdom, to whom this reforming is an almost everting of God's worship ? And are there none that have asserted that our new religion hath caused all those tumults and bloodshed ? And doth not every unprejudiced man see, that these are hellish lies, and malicious accusations, having, Jndeed neither ground nor colour, but only their coincidence in respect of time ? Is any wise man moved with their clamours ? Are their as- persions considerable ? Are we the only men that have been thus injuriously traduced? Remember the diflference be- tween Elijah and Ahab ; what was laid to the charge of Paul ; see the apologies of the old Christians, and speak what you find.
Much might here be added concerning the qualifications, carriages, humility, peaceableness, of erring persons ; all which ought to be considered, and our proceedings towards them to be, if not regulated, yet much swayed by such considerations. Some I have known myself, that I dare say the most curious inquirer into their ways, that sees with eyes of flesh, would not be able to discover any thing but mere conviction and tenderness of conscience, that causeth them to own the opinions which different from others they do embrace. Others again so exceeding supercilious, scorn- ing, proud, selfish, so given to contemning of all others, re- viling and undervaluing of their adversaries, that the blindest pity cannot but see much carnalness and iniquity in their ways. These things then deserve to be weighed, all passion and particular interest being set aside. And then, if the die be cast, and we must forward, let us take along with us these two cautions.
(1.) So to carry ourselves in all our censures, every one in his sphere (ecclesiastical discipline being preserved as pure and unmixed from secular power as possible) that it may appear to all that it is the error which men maintain which is so odious unto us, and not the consequent or their dissent from us, whether by subducting themselves from our power, or withdrawing from communion ; for if this latter be made the cause of our proceeding against any, there must be
86 A COUNTRY ESSAY FOR THE PRACTICE
one law for them all, all that will not bow to the fiery furnace ; recusancy is the fault, and that being the same in all must have the same punishment, which would be such an unrigh- teous inequality as is fit for none but antichrist to own.
(2.) That nothing be done to any, but that the bound and farthest end of it be seen at the beginning, and not, leave way and room for new persecution upon new pretences. ' Cedo alteram et alteram,' one stripe sometimes makes way for another, and how know I that men will stay at thirty-nine? ' Principiis obsta.'
All these things being considered, I cannot so well close with them who make the least allowance of dissent to be the mother of abominations : words and hated phrases may easily be heaped up to a great number, to render any thing odious which we have a mind to oppose ; but the proving of an im- posed evil or absurdity, is sometimes a labour too difficult for every undertaker. And so I hope I have said enough to warrant my own hesitancy in this particular. Some might now expect that T should here positively set down what is my judgment concerning errors and erroneous persons, dis- senting from the truth received and acknowledged by au- thority, with respect unto their toleration : unto whom I an- swer. That to consider the power of the magistrate about thingsof religion, and over consciences; the several restraints that have been used in this case, or are pleaded for ; the dif- ference between dangerous fundamental errors, and others ; the several interests of men, and ways of disengaging ; the extent of communion, and the absolute necessity of a latitude to be allowed in some things : with such other things as would be requisite for a full handling of the matter in hand ; ask a longer discourse, and more exactness, than the few hours allotted to this appendix can afford. Only for the present I ask, if any will take the pains ^to inform me :
1 . What they mean by a non-toleration ? Whether only a not countenancing, nor holding communion with them ; or if crushing and punishing them, then how? to what degree? by what means ? where they will undoubtedly bound ?
2. What the error is concerning which the inquiry is made ? the clear opposition thereof to the word of God ? the danger of it? the repugnancy that is in it to peace, quietness, and the power of godliness ? 3. What, or who are the erring per-
OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT THERE. 87
sons ? how they walk ? in what manner of conversation ? What is their behaviour towards others, not of their own per- suasion? What gospel means have been used for their con- viction ? What may be supposed to be their prejudices, mo- tives, interests, and the like ? And then, if it be worth ask- ing, I shall not be backward to declare ray opinion. And truly without the consideration of these things, and other such circumstances, how a right judgment can be passed in this case I see not.