Melius inquirendum, or, A sober inquirie into the reasonings of the Serious inquirie wherein the inquirers cavils against the principles, his calumnies against the preachings and practises of the non-conformists are examined, and refelled, and St. Augustine, the synod of Dort and the Articles of the Church of England in the Quinquarticular points, vindicated.

CHAP. II.

Of the more Remote Causes of the infelicities of this Church: The Persecution under Q. Mary: The bad provisions for Ministers in Corporations: Frequent Wars: The mischiefs of Trade and Travel: The Designs of Atheists and Papists enquired into; with what influence they may have had upon the present se∣paration from the Church of England.

WHen Adrian VI. was pressed by the clamorous Im∣portunity of the German Princes to Reform the Clergy, he answered very gravely, That a Refor∣mation was necessary, yet the danger of Reforming all at once was so dreadful, that he resolved to pro∣ceed step by step. Some Wise Men smiled at the cautious Advisement of his Holiness, and said, They hoped he would not break his shins for hast, but deliberately make a hun∣dred years at least between every step

The same prudence which this politick Pope used in his ad∣vance towards a Reformation, our wary Enquirer uses in his ap∣proaches towards the Causes of Separation. Hitherto we have been entertained with certain Romantick Imaginary Causes, and now he will give us a gentile Treat with the Real ones.

But of th•…•…se, some are more remote, others near hand; these come by the running Post, those by Tom Long the Carriet. Thus your Poching Fellows, when they have found the Hare sitting, go round about, and about the Bush, till they have screwed themselves into a convenient Distance, and then give poor Pus•…•… Club Law, and knock her dead upon the Form.

1. Now the first of these Remote Causes is; That it was the mis∣fortune, and is the great disadvantage of this Church, that it was not well confirmed, and swadled in its Infancy, it conflicted with Serpents in its Cradle, and underwent a severe persecution.

What he understands by that old Blind Heathenish Beldame Fortune, I cannot tell. The Scriptures have taught us to believe, That the Hairs of our Head are all numbred; and therefore much more the Heads of the Martyrs: That a Sparrow falls not to the ground without the Providence of our Heavenly Father. Much less the Blood of the Saints, which is more precious in his sight than many Sparrows, But this is only a Shibboleth, which serves for

a Certificate that he is no friend to the immutable Counsels of God.

However this early persecution must needs have a considerable influence upon the Churches present weakness; for thus Mephi∣bosheths Nurse, making more hast than good speed, in her fright and flight threw down her Nursery, and he became lame to his dying day.

It was therefore politickly done of Licurgus (thinks the En∣quirer, when he had framed the Body of the Spartan Laws, to pre∣tend an occasion to Travel; and having first taken an Oath of the People, that they should make no alteration in that Government (either in Church or State) till his return, he resolvedly never returns again.

If the old Masters of Ceremonies could have perswaded the people to some such subscription, that they would never alter their Inventions till their return, and then had sentenced them∣selves to a voluntary perpetual Exile, it had been a successful piece of self denial to cheat a Nation into Uniformity, no less honourable to themselves than grateful to thousands.

But thus the Case stood with the Church in its Infancy. King Edward VI. dying Immaturely, (too soon says the Enquirer, too late says Dr. Heylin) Q. Mary succeeded him in the Throne, and so the Church was put upon difficulties and trials, before its Limbs and Ioints were settled and confirmed.

Persecution has hitherto been esteemed one of the Churches best friends, whereof it has been often afraid, but never hurt: Such was the constant experience of the Primitive Christians: Exquifi∣•…•…ior quaque, crudelitas illecebra magis est secta, plures efficimur quo∣ties metimur, sanguis Martyrum est semen Ecclesia. The cruelties of Enemies does but more encrease the Number; the oftner the Church is mowed down, the thicker it comes up, and there's no Seed thrives so well as that which is steeped in the Blood of Martyrs, That which Christians lose by the wind of persecution, is only their Chaff; that which the fire of Tribulation preys upon, is only their Dross. The Marian Fiers did the Church this one good turn, that it melt∣ed down much of that imposing Spirit and Lordly Temper, which reigned in some Church-men over their dissenting Bre∣thren, which Bishop Ridley confessed at the Stake: That Tree which is of Gods Planting, takes deeper Root by shaking, and if it loses any Ceremonious Leaves, let them go, the Tree will bear better and sweeter Fruit with out them.

Could Persecutors have seen how much good the Wise God would extract out of their evil, they would never have aggravated their own damnation, to be the instruments of the Christians Sal∣vation: But malice is so quicksighted to do mischief, that it's Blind in the reasons of doing it; and makes such hast to her end, that she stumbles in the means; Thus Nero's fingers itcht to be burning of Rome; but that he knew it would arise a more glorious Phoenix out of its own Ashes; which could the Devil himself consider, he would never be content Tribulos metere,

dum nobis spinas serit, to sow us Thorns, and reap himself a crop of Thistles.

All this while we are waiting to see how he will make it out, that This early Persecution did any real hurt to our Infant Church; And after some Preambles and Introductions, he will doubtless come home to the point: And first, By reason of this Persecu∣tion (you must understand) a great number of the Ministers, and other Members of this Church, were driven into other Countries for refuge, and shelter from the Storm, I hope their finding refuge, and shelter was no part of their misery: but is was seasonably remembred; for if the Ministers, and other Confessors of this Church, found such Cordial Entertainment amongst the Re∣formed Churches beyond the Sea, if ever the like sad provi∣dence should send them hither, they may expect to meet with proportionable welcome, and not be remitted with their Beards half shaved, and their Coats dock't, with a Paper pinned at their Backs, intimating that they are Fugitives, Schismaticks, and Rebels.

But still, Quid hoc ad Iphicli Boves? what is all this to the matter? oh now it comes! There they were tempted with Novelty, and distracted with variety of Customs and Ri•…•…es, before they were well instructed in the reasons, or habituated in the practise of their own. And hereupon they brought home with them forreign fashions: The meaning is this, Reader! Religion travailed too young and raw, and drunk in the Ceremonies of the Reformed Churches, and she cannot be dis-infected to this day: A little matter will blow this dust out of the Readers Eyes, and let him see the egre∣gious trifling of this Harangue.

§ 1. He supposes that those exiled Confessors, did but chop, or Barter one Ceremony for another; as suppose they carried out with them The Cross, they exchanged it for Cream, or if they went out in the Surplice, they returned home in the Friers Coule: As if the Competition had been between two Ceremonies, which as Candidates vyed, which should be most for Edification, and the Adorning Religion: whereas, they who improved their afflicted state to the best advantage, left their Ceremonies behind them, and brought no other home in their rooms: Alas! to what end should they bring more to England? this had been to carry Coals to New-Castle; or to what end steal from the Refor∣med Churches? which had been meerly to rob the Spittle.

§ 2. Those Holy Men made not the forreign Churches the Rule or Reason of their Reformation in Worship; but their help, to lead them to the Common Rule of Reformation; They that were reduced to Primitive poverty, might be allowed to emulate Primitive purity. It was no wanton humour, but a sence of Duty, begotten by awaken'd Conscience, rouz'd up by their affliction, which brought them to a self-denying compliance with the Insti∣tutions of Christ: It would break the proud heart of them that live in Ease and Triumph, to imitate their patience and resolution, whose return to Gospel-simplicity, they can so pleasantly deride.

§ 3. Its a scandalous reproach which he throws upon the English Reformation, as if it lay in Rites and Ceremonies, and such kind of inventions. Before (says he) they were well in•…•…red to the English Reformation, they became enamoured of the Rites of other Churches: The Reformation lay not in preserving Rites and Ce∣remonies, but in purging them away: so far purged. so far refor∣med; you may call the Scar upon the Face, it's Healing, if you please: but I will rather chuse to call it, a foot-step, or relique of the old former wound: nor will I call the dust behind the door part of the Houses cleanliness, and yet I dare not impose, let others call them as they please: this is evident, That those things wherein the Reformation consisted, were opposed by the Papists, but the Ceremonies were not opposed by the Papists, therefore our Re∣formation consisted not in Ceremonies.

§ 4. No less is the reproach cast upon those famous Exiles▪ that they were enamoured of the Rites of other Churches; we read indeed 2 Kings 16. 10. 11. That King Ahaz in his Journey to Damascus, saw an Altar there, which pleased his Humour, and he sent to Urijah the Priest, the fashion of the Altar, and the pat∣tern of it, according to all the workmanship of it, and he like a tractable good-natur'd man, that would not offend the King for a small matter, built an Alter according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus: but our banished worthies imitated not the Example, it was not the opposing one Ceremony to another, but the opposition of all Ceremonies which was their Glory.

But our Enquirer is resolved they shall be in an Errour, and which looks something like Charity, he will convince them of it too.

1. Their first weakness was, That they considered not whether those other Rites were better, so long as they were newer and fresher. A groundless charge! new or old, fresh or stale, was nothing to them, it was Ceremonies as such which they rejected; And if he can evince, that the present Dissenters have derived from the Transmarine Churches any Rite or Ceremony, which is not of Divine Institution, they are not so enamoured of it, but they will presently deliver it up into his hands, to be dealt with at discretion.

2 Another failing was, that they observed not, That there are oftentimes reasons to make one form necessary in one place or people, and not in another, when its possible they may be both in∣different.

They observed without his information, that the circumstan∣ces of time and place in general, were indifferent; but they ob∣served not, that new invented Rites were necessary in any time or place, to present the grace and duty of the Gospel; They knew well, that all Christs Ordinances were Decently to be Ad∣ministred; and they knew as well that there was no need to in∣stitute New Rites or Ceremonies to create a decency, to conciliate a respect or reverence to any of Christs Ordinances: If we must have New Rites, to render Christs Ceremonies decent and comely,

then we must have New Rites also invented to render those Humane Ceremonies decent and comely; and so infinitely forwards, others to make those latter decent and comely, because we cannot imagine the wisest man on Earth able to contrive a more perfect Ceremony then Christ has done: And thus we must have a Lace to make the Garment decent, and then an Edging to make the Lace decent; and then we shall make Religion a Suit, as fanta∣stick as that Princes, who fitted it with Loop-holes, like Argu•…•… his Eyes, and then hung a Needle at every Loop-hole to make all decent.

I have heard of a Taylour (from France no doubt) that was sent for to take measure of, and make a Corde robe for the Moon; she was then very slender, as being in Conjunction with the Sun, and when at the Fortnights end he brought her home her Gown, she was grown so Corpulent, that it would not meet by a Third part of her Circumference; The poor man was sadly ashamed, blamed his Spectacles, and with more Circumspection, takes measure of her Ladyship, and when he came to try her Stayes, she was grown so slender, that she looked like a shrimp in a Lobsters Symarr: Now the Moon is the Church, which accor∣ding to the measures which our modish Fashion-mongers take of her, must at every Change and Full, appear in new Accou∣trements: And as Nations have differing Attires each from other, and the Winters-freeze differs from the Summers-stuff; so the same Church must have a Mourning Worship, and a Wed∣ding Worship, accommodated to her outward accessions or de∣clensions in Wealth and Riches.

The external Condition of the Church does vary, but her God is the same; her joy may be turned into sorrow, her sorrow into joy; she has her fasting, as well as her feasting days; solemn Humilia∣tions, and solemn Thanksgivings, but her Worship continues still the same; Though the Worshippers may alter their garbe, yet the Worship which respects the immutable God, is immutable like him∣self: If new things pleased our God, it were our duty to study new things. If he shall declare for Summer Ceremonies, and Winter Cere∣monies, we must provide accordingly; but if with him there be no variableness nor shadow of turning, that Worship and Service which we offer to him, ought to observe the same fixedness and stability.

3. Another of their follies was, that they could not hit upon the right rule of Reformation. It was their unhappiness, that this Enquirer was not then born to direct them to it; which advantage the present Age may enjoy, if we be not wanting to our selves; And it is this: That those differing forms be fitted to the Humour and Custom of the People, and made consonant to the civil Constitu∣tions: A Rule had need be straight, or else whatever is framed by it will be crooked: Now 1. For the Humour of the People: This has sometimes the sad fate to be decryed as the cause of Deforma∣tion, and now the happiness again to be as much cryed up for the rule of Reformation; which if it be varied according to the ebbing and flowing of this Euripus, must needs be changed half

a score times in four and twenty hours. 2. Custom has I confess a fairer plea, some persons of no small Learning, pretending it to be the only rule of decency in things indifferent, In p. 31. our Enquirer intimates, That the Constitutions (of a Church) by Time are digested into Customs, and made natural. Now if Custom be the only rule of decency, then the Churches Constitutions ought to be of no things but what are naturalized to a People by Custom, and thereby made decent, unless he has a power also to command All things te be done undecently, and then leave to be made comely by long usage, and continued Custom; but if the Churches Constitutions, her power to impose and judge what is decent, be the Rule of Decency, and the Reason of our Obedience, then Custom is not the only Rule of Decency.

How much better were it, that the peoples fluctuating Hu∣mours, odd Customs, and the Churches Constitutions, were all re∣gulated by the Word of God; which is equal, insallible, and im∣partial: Equal, and therefore we shall not be to seek for our Worship upon every accident; infallible, and therefore we may safely confide in its direction; and impartial, and so abets no party, favours no faction or worldly interest, but faithfully and fully delivers out to us the mind and will of God: Whereas our Enquirers rule, must prove the Author of all mis-rule and con∣fusion amongst the Churches of Christ, when Humours shall cross Customs, Customs thwart Humours, and perhaps Civil Consti∣tuiions shall retrench both Customs and Humours.

One instance will a little enlighten us in his design and mean∣ing. Where (says he) the Reformation had not at the first the Coun∣tenance of the Civil Government, there the Reformers were constrain∣ed to enter into particular confederations with one another, from whence Presbyterian Government seems to have taken its rise. Say you so? then I know who will assume; But for the first three hundred years after Christ all along through the purest Primitive times, the Christian Reformation had not the Countenance of the Civil Government, and therefore they enter'd into particular Con∣federations; from whence the Presbyterian Government had its rise. I cannot certainly tell, and therefore dare not conjecture, whe∣ther these particular confederations, be not a kind of New La∣tine, for the solemn League and Covenant; but this I will say, That t•…•… •…•…anks of the Classis are ordered to be returned to this Gentleman for his Learned Argument to prove, the Presbyterian to have been the Primitive Church-Government.

All this while it remains a great mystery, how these poor Exiles prejudiced the English Reformation; And therefore in the first place he will give us some light into it by a plain and familiar il∣lustration. As the Children of Israel, even when they had Bread from Heaven, Angels Food, longed for the Onions and Garlick of Aegypt, remembring how sweet they were to them, under their bit∣ter Bondage; so these Men retained as long as they lived a lingring after those entertainments which they found then very pleasant, when the other was denied them. The foundation of this ingenious

illustration lies in these Two Things. First, That the Rites and Ceremonies of England were Manna, Bread from Heaven, Angels Food: And Secondly, That the Worship of the Refor∣med Churches without these Ceremonies were Onions and Gar∣lick, he must have an Ostrich-Stomack that could concoct them, unless they were first m•…•…erated, and dissolved in a Menstruum of Ceremonies: Now the parallel is so self-evident, that we shall only need to gather what drops of it self, and not to shake the Tree: For 1. As the Manna was of Gods own appointment, so we must not question but the Ceremonies also were. 2. The Manna was Angels Food, and as whenever An∣gels will cloath themselves with a Garment, they cannot as∣sume one of more Congruity than Light; so whenever they shall please to condescend to a Treat from Men, they cannot be ser∣ved up with a more agreeable Dish than Ceremonies; And then 3. As the Manna was despised, and accounted dry Meat, so are these Ceremonies too; and therefore as wise Fathers take away their Childrens Meat, if they will not eat their Bread; so the Fathers of the Church think it wisdom to deny their Children Spiritual Food, if they will not down with the Cere∣monies, or let them fast till they have a better Stomack: But the parallel comes off very lamely at last: For the Manna lasted only whilst the Church was in the Wilderness, and ceased as soon as they entered the Land of Canaan; whereas the poor afflicted and persecuted Churches knew none of those Rites, but surfeited of them in the day of her Rest and Prosperity: And therefore to have carried on the Humour, he might have feigned one thing more as well as all the rest; That those Exiled Worthies lived all the fourty years of their Banishment upon no∣thing but Rites and Ceremonies, but when they came to the Land of Promise, the Manna ceased.

We have heard a long narrative of the cause of Non-conformity from the Exiles in Queen Maries days; which had it been deli∣vered without colour or fraud, had amounted to no more than this naked little, when the Righteous God saw it necessary to unchain the Devil, and let him loose upon the Englis•…•… Prote∣stants to exercise their Graces, and correct their Follies; he gave some of them Christian Courage to abide by the tryals; to others of them Christian Wisdom to secure themselves by fligh•…•…: Had all fled, the Truth had wanted Witnesses at home for the present; had all stay'd, the Truth had wanted Successors for the future; they that fled, found the Care of God attending them, and the Mercy of God as a Harbinger going before them, to provide them first a Room in the Hearts, and then in the Houses of their Brethren: Where being eman•…•…ipated from the prejudices of In∣•…•…eterate Custom▪ got from under the D•…•…resse of Imposing Power; humbled by afflictions, and made more willing to bear the Yoke of Christ, and finding the Reforming Churches a tolerable Counter∣pane of the New Testament Worship, many of them not consult∣ing with Flesh and Blood, came off from Ceremonies, content

to Worship God with the same Measure of Decency prescribed▪ and practised by Christ and his Apostles.

When therefore he tells us, that those Fxiles received a Tin∣cture of those other Rites before they had well imbibed, or sufficiently understood the Reasons of the Church of England. He says no more tha•…•… that the Rationale of the Liturgie, and the Compassionate En∣quiry, were not then written; for where else to find the Reasons of the Church, for imposing Ceremonies, I am yet to seek.

2. A second Cause of this evil effect is: The bad and incompe∣tent provision made for a learned and able Ministry in the Corpora∣tions, and generality of the great Parishes in England.

But before this Incompetency can possibly be remedied, it must be known what is a Competency for a Learned Minister, for some that are Learned enough, are also Able to spend five times more than the people are worth, or can spare.

Two things are here considerable, which have exercised our Enquirers politick Head-piece.

The Grievance, and the Redress of the Grievance.

1. For the Grievance. The multitude of Opinions that deform and trouble the Church, are generally hatch'd and nursed in the Cor∣porations and Market Towns. Nay not only the dissatisfaction with the Rites and Ceremonies, but the con•…•…ulsions and confusions of the State took their Origin from the bad Humours of th•…•…se greater Socie∣ties. But how easily might all this mischief have been remedied, had he pursued his own Primitive Rule of Reformation. viz. Modelled the Rites and Government of the Church to the Humours and Customs of the People. But his meaning was; That Refor∣mation should be accommodated to the Humours of the Villages, where the people mind nothing of Religion, (as he thinks) but not of the Market Towns, where they are intent upon New Fashions: But the Reader must look on these as the lesser sports of his Wit, and the dilations of a pregnant Fancy; for the true Reason of all the dissatisfaction about those Rites, has been the want of good ground for them in the Word of God, and the main cause of the troubles that have ensued thereupon, has been the unreasonable and unseasonable imposition of them upon the Consciences of Men.

But our Enquirer is otherwise minded, and he imputes these Con•…•…ns and Confusions.

§ 1. To the Fullness and Luxury of these great Towns. Well! have a little patience till he can procure his Proclamation against Trade, and to shut up the Shops, and that will most effectually take down their Greace, and humble their haughty Stomacks, and they will grow tame and manageable: But then another diffi∣culty will arise, how they should maintain a Learned and able Ministry, and allow him such a Revenue as he shall confess to be a Competency; but is not this inconvenience to be found in the Country Towns and Villages? No! They are for the most part quiet, and peaceably comply with establish'd Orders; for they are tired with hard labour, and never trouble themselves no•…•… others▪

but apply themselves to Till the ground, and earn their Breat with the sweat of their Brows. Let them have liberty to be poor, and pay their Tithes, and they concern themselves little in Religion, or the saving of their Souls; they go by the old Rule, Si Mun∣dus vult vadere sicut vult, Mundus debet vadere sicut vult: These Creatures indeed will make fit materials for Uniformity to work upon; you may put the Bridle in their Mouths, and clap the Saddle on their Backs, and ride them till they are broken winded and foundred, and they will neither wince nor complain; and yet there are some sowr Lads and knotty pieces amongst these too, that will not budge a foot, nor yield an Ace further than Conscience informed from the Word of God shall command them.

§ 2. In these great Towns they have leasure to excogitate Novel∣ties, and Spirit, and confidence to abet them; and here there is great concourse of people, where Notions are more easily started, and Parties sooner formed for the defence of them: Where the dividing Notions have been most started. I cannot infallibly tell; but I am sure the richest Corporations find themselves something else to do than to excogitate Ceremonies, or other Novelties; and whether Convocations have always sat in the great Towns or lit∣tle Villages, is easily determined.

§ 3. The misery of all is; That in these great Towns where was most need of the most liberal maintenance: so pittiful a Pittance is left to the Curate or Minister, that he can scarce afford himself Books to study, nor perhaps Bread to eat, without too servile a de∣pendance upon the benevolence of his Richer Neighbours, by which means either his Spirit is broken with Adversity, or the dignity of his Office obscured, or he tempted to a sordid •…•…nnivance at, or com∣plyance with their follies, and so like Esau sells his Birthright for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mess of Pottage.

The bottom of the Grievance in plain terms is this: If the Clergy could but once procure a Revenue settled hard and fa•…•…t upon them to their minds, (which what it is, neither we, nor perhaps themselves ever knew) had they but more Wealth to support their Grandeur, out of the hard labour of the poor drudging Moyls, that tug hard night and day to get Bread, had they but Midas his Option, or Fortunatus his wishing 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ that every thing they touch'd might be Gold; they would then make the Ble•…•…-aprons Lacquey it, and trot to the Courts by their Horse sides, and it does them good but to imagine how they would firk their lazy Hides, and curry the s•…•…abbed Humour of Non-conformity out of them: Thus much of the Malady; the Remedy follows.

2. The Remedy of this insupportable Grievance in short is this. That a Law be made, that all Corporations, Market Towns, and great Parishes, provide a Maintenance for the Vicars▪ in proportion to London; for till some such course be taken, it will be in vain to expect, that the Church of England, or the best Laws of Religion, should either obtain just Ven•…•…ration, or due Effect.

So far am I from envying them their Honours, Revenues, and desired Affluences, that I could be content they had the Nine parts, and the poor Tenth only left to the Land-lord, as a small quit-rent in memory that the whole was once his own: But what security can we have, that that also will not be demanded in time to make up a Compotency; for Trade is too great, Corporations too rich, every one has too much, only the Clergy have just nothing till they have got their Competency, which is nothing less than the whole.

This was the glorious design managed by the Council of Trent, when the Church was so unmeasurably rich, that it maintained abundance of Cardinals, every one carrying the Port and State of a King; so many Arch-bishops, Bishops, Priests, besides the infinite numbers and swarms of Religious Persons, all endowed with ample Revenues, and yet they made a Begging Decree; much would have more; Cujus avariti•…•… totus non sufficit Orbi•…•…. That all the Faithful should be exhorted to give largely to the Bishops and Priests to maintain their Dignities. But the Parliament of Paris, a wise and foreseeing Assembly, abhorring this Mendi∣cant Trade, and knowing well, that your counterfeit Beggers hide Luxury under the Covert of Rags, and remembring possi∣bly that of Solomon. Prov. 13. 7. There is that maketh him∣self poor, and yet there is no end of his Substance; gave this cen∣sure of it.

That this had been good indeed, if they did serve the people as they •…•…ght, and were really in need; for so St. Paul exhorts, That he that is instructed, should give some part of his goods to him that in∣structs him; but when he that bears the Name of a Pastor does in∣tend any thing rather then to instruct the people, the Exhortation is not proper; and the rather because Ecclesiastical goods formerly were for maintaining the Poor, and Redeeming Slaves; for which Cau∣ses, not only the Immovables, but even the Ornaments of Churches, and Holy Vessels were Sold. In the Mosaical Law, God gave the Tenth to the Levites, who were but the 13th part of the people; but the Clergie now, who are not a Fiftieth part, have gotten already the Fourth part, and doth still proceed to gain, using many Artifices therein; Moses having invited the People to offer for the service of the Tabernacle, when as much was offer'd as did suffice, forbad them in th•…•… Name of God to offer any more; but here will be no end found till they have all, if Men will continue still in the Lethargie: If some Priests and Clergie-Men be poor, it's because others are ex∣cessively rich, and an equal distribution would make them all rich abundantly. Hist. Trent. Counc. p. 821. Again •…•…b. p. 540. For a Synod to put their hands into Mens Purses to •…•…intain Curates, seemed strange, both for the matter and the manner; for the matter, because the Clergie was superfluously rich, and rather indebted to the Laity: For the manner, because neither Christ nor his Apostles did ever compel Men to make Contributions, but only gave power to receive them that were voluntary; And he that reads St. Paul to the Corinthians and Galathians, shall see the Masters treatment of the

Oxe that treadeth •…•…ut the Corn; and the duty of the Catechised, to∣wards him that Catechiseth, yet so that those Labourers have no Action by rigour of Law, nor any Chancery to relieve them.

It was a notable Constitution of the wise and potent Prince

Catolus M. constitut. fol. 73. Ut decimae Populi dividantur in quatuor partes, id est, una pars Episcopo, Alia Clericis, ter∣tia pauperibus, quarta Ecclesiae in fabricis applicetur, ut in Decretis Gelas•…•…i P. continetur:

That the Peoples Tythes should be divided into four parts, one whereof should maintain the Bishops; a second the Clergy-men, a third should maintain the Poor, and a fourth should go to the repair of Churches: Now if the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor, should have all their Levies raised out of their Tythes, which was the first and best use of them, what a peal of sacriledge should we have ringing about our Ears continually: Let me soberly propound a few Quaeries.

1. Qu. Whether they who are for a moderation in Reforma∣tion, a mediocrity in coming up to the Primitive purity, ought not to be as real for a moderation and mediocrity in main∣tenance? It seems to be very disproportionable to cry out for a Mean in Trading, a moderation in Preaching, moderation in Reforming, and yet to be immoderate for Revenues. A lit∣tle I see will serve of any thing but riches. Let men have but enough of wages, and they can be content with little enough of work.

2. Whether it be rational to proceed in this matter ascendend•…•…, to bring up the lean Vicarages to the Corpulency of fat Parso∣nages, or descendendo, to reduce the gouty Benefices to the mo∣dicum of the m•…•…agre Vicarages, and not rather to make an Equa∣lity, that they may both meet in the half way?

3. When a Market Town or Corporation is low, and not able to maintain its poor, the Law enables the Justices of the Peace to bring the Neighbouring Village under Contribution; and they who understand what Charity is in a mean estate, are glad since there is so sad occasion to demonstrate their Charity, to lay hold on it: Let it therefore be enquired, why the poor Corporation Vicars ought not to be augmented out of the richer Parsonages of the Neighbourhood? But many will cut a large Thong out of anothers Hide, who will be sure to spare his own Skin; and they whose Tails sweep the ground, will not lend an Inch •…•…o him •…•…hat is docked close by his Buttocks.

4. Whether the poor Vicar ought not rather to be relieved out of the rich Clergy-mans Excrements, then out of the life-blood of the Laity? If the Revenues of Pluralists and Prebends, with other such useless Creatures, were annext to the ill provided places, all would be well; but the Daughters of the Horse∣leach cry still, give, give, and yet they are ready to burst with blood.

5. Whether it be not more agreeable to the Prim•…•…ive times▪ and the na•…•…ure 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christian Religion, that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…uld hav•…•… some dependance on the People as to Temporal▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉

depend so moch on their Clergy in Spirituals? we consider the Inconveniencies of a depending Clergy, but not the greater ones of having them absolute and independent: who having got a set∣tled Maintenance, defie their Benefactors, contemn those that drudge to maintain their splendid Equipage, and torment their Consciences, who keep the Woolf from their Doors: The mid∣dle way is therefore best. That so much be settled as is absolutely necessary, and leave them to stand upon their good behaviour for superfluities: since he that is rich, and able to contribute libe∣rally this year, may become poor, and need Contribution the next; and its not equal to be compelled to Charity when he can∣not discharge his Debts.

6. Whether it be not a most scandalous reflection upon the English Clergy, which he intimates p. 39. That the motives and invitations of the most judicious Clergy, to undertake the work (viz. the charge os the flock) is from the most liberal maintenance?

7. Whether the healing of the Clergies Poverty, will not cure them of their Laboriousness in Preaching? and whether doubling the Revenues will not single the Sermons? I have read of a poor Vicar, that being taken notice of by the Bishop for an industrious Preacher, to encourage him in his work, he gave him a good bulkie Parsonage; but observing that he began presently to slac∣ken his pace, and come to once a day, he sends for him, expo∣stulates the Case with him, why he should work less now he had more Wages, to whom he answered ingenuously, Parv•…•… l•…•…quun∣tur Curae, ingentes s•…•…upent.

8. Whether it was advisedly spoken by our Enquirer, to com∣pare a Ministers Condescension to his scrupulous people in the matter of Ceremonies to Esau's selling his Birth-right for a Mess of Pottage? for if the Minister should happen to cut short his Common Service to gratifie his Patron in hopes of a Dinn•…•…r, the worst he can make of it is, that he fells a Mess of Pottage for a Sunday-Pudding, And if a Ministers Birth-right consist in Rites and Ceremonies, he that gives a Mess of Pottage for it, will cer∣tainly buy it too dear.

3. The third cause is the late Wars: And for proof hereof he will desire the Reader to look no further back, then the late Wars between this Kingdom, and the States of the Low-Countries. But why no further back? we used to be lead back as far as the late Civil Wars; but our Enquirer was better advised then his Rea∣der perhaps is aware of: It had not been safe to follow truth too near the Heels, least it should have dasht out his Teeth.

But into what a perplexed Dilemma has he brought the Church of England? If we have Peace with Holland; and there∣with Trade and Commerce, then comes in all the new fangled Commodities▪ Ceremonies and Rites of forreign growth, exotick Customs, jack-in-a-boxes; If we have War with them, then the Reins of Government are remiss, and Non-conformity grows apace: for that (says he) the Contempt of Religion is greater, and the state of the Church worse at the end, then the beginning of th•…•…se

Wars: Could we but onderstand the mystery that lurks under that word Religion, and that I•…•…rgon and Cypher [the state of the Church] we might easily return an Answer. By Religion then understand Ceremony, by the state of the Church, understand, its power to crush, and ruine all that comply not with those Ceremo∣nies, and then it's very true, that Wars are a great Enemy to Re∣ligion: Every thing is so far to be reputed evil as it crosses, and so far good as it advances the Trade of Ceremonies and Impositions: If Navigation and Merchandise be Essential to the flourishing state of the Nation, yet if they stand in the way of Ceremonies, damn them as Schismatical; and Wars and Blood-shed, and the beggering of the Nation▪ if they would but promote Ceremo∣nies, were amongst the choicest desirables: However the reme∣dy is cheap and easie:, 'Tis but parting with the Flag, the Sove∣raignty of the Sea, (which our Enemies would have perswaded us were but a Cer•…•…mony) the fishery, the East-India Trade, and per∣haps two or three more such inconsiderable necessaries, and we might have secured our Innocent Ceremonies, and the Church∣men swagger'd over the Consciences of Dissenters.

He that has a mind to interpose in a discourse of Wars, may possibly get a broken Pate for his pains; otherwise the Valour of the English Nation, has so justified it self in our Naval Engage∣ments, that it needs not be ashamed to look back upon its be∣haviour; but I shall only observe as I pass on these few things.

1. That the Ecclesiastical Histories observe to our hand, that the Wars between the Emperour and the Persians, proved a means to check those persecutions which the Arians raised against the Orthodox: And if the great Governour of the World will over-rule publick Calamities, to render the condition of persecuted Christians tolerable, we have the more reason to admire his powerful wisdom, who out of so great an Evil could extract so great a Good.

2. I must call to mind one of our Enquirers grave sentences; ubi solitudinem feccrunt, pacem vocant: That which some men count Peace, is nothing but havock and desolation. Like some great Enclosers, who having depopulated all about them, and left nothing but the bare Ribs, and naked Skeleton, of some∣times flourishing Farms, bless themselves that they are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the noise of the obstreperous Carters. Thus when our Eccle∣siastical projectors, shall have ruined Trade, routed the Con∣scientious, and forced peaceable Dissenters into deserts; beg∣gar'd Corporations, those Nests of Schism, they may applaud themselves for profound States-men, that they have wrought out their own Ease, with the miseries of the People.

3. Wars may reasonably contribute something to a just and well bounded Liberty of Conscience, for how could a Prince expect his Subjects should hazard their lives in his righteous cause and quarrel▪ and open their Purses wide to maintain the War, when either they must lose them in his Service, or if they return ha∣ving survived apparent dangers, be trampled upon at home,

by those who have all the while sat still at ease, wrapt up in warm Furr, and security. There's no great difference whether a man be slain by chain-shot, or a single Bullet; And yet a gene∣rous Spirit would accept is as moreEligible to meet a noble death in the Field, fighting for his Prince and Countrey, then to languish and pine away an inglorious Life in servitude, under Ecclesiastical Impositions.

4. If the effects of War were lamented, as letting in Debau∣chery and Prophaneness, tolerating immoralities, antiquating the practice of Religion▪ we should mourn with him that thus mourns: But when we shall have an Oration of the Evils of the War, and at last, the great one is, that it makes people not so fond of Ceremonies, whereas Peace and Prosperity multi∣plies them, it's enough to make a people entertain thoughts less evil of the one, and less honourable of the other: for thus the Spartans made the lives of the People so intolerable in Peace. that they might more readily engage in Wars abroad. And indeed such mis-representations of the reasons of things, have made the World desire like the Salamander, •…•…ar for its Element, that they might not dwell in the hotter fire •…•…f Persecution in a more moderate Climate called Peace; for a Person of Honour that in defence of his Country has come up to the mouth of a Canon, and come off with renown, to be slain by an Ecclesiastical Canon, would make him resent his fall with regret, and dying, bite the ground.

4. The fourth, and indeed the greatest cause of all these mischiefs, is a pestilent evil, known by the name of Trade: This Kingdom of Great Britain is an Island, which as by its situation it has the greatest need of, so the greatest advantage by Com∣merce. That which Nature made a Necessity; Art and Industry have turn'd into a Virtue: That as we cannot live comfortably without it, so we are capacitated to live Gloriously by it: To speak of its usefulness to English men, were to be as imperti∣nently absurd, as that Soldier who would needs De re Militari c•…•…ram Hanibale diss•…•…rere, read a Lecture of Tactics, to one of the bravest Captains of his time for Courage and Conduct; and he may seem almost as vain that should commend it, as he would be impious that should disparage it.

B•…•… Trade be irreversibly doomed for an intolerable evil, may we ask with Pilate, pray what evil has it done, has it intro∣duced the sins of the torrid Zone? or made those wickednesses Denizons, that were peculiar to hotter climates? has it im∣poverisht the Subject, or lessen'd the Revenues of the Crown? no! nothing of al thes•…•…; but it has feloniously, and of its ma∣lice forethought, brought down the price of Ceremonies, which are the staple commodities of the Kingdom: But did not the dear Ceremonies come over by Shipping too? they are not drugs of our own growth, and therefore in Civility, we are obliged to car•…•…y a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…spect •…•…owards 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that brought us home so ri•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉; bu•…•… consider, shipping was useful •…•…ill it

has landed this sraught, and then like Iulius Caesar, burn them all, that they may never export so precious a Commodity.

In drawing up a charge against this Trade, our Enquirer looks like the very Picture of Modesty: He seems to say, O utina•…•… nescirem Literas! He could almost wish (had it not been too great an injury to the world) that he had not been so Eloquent: If he might do it without offence he would take the boldness to say; that is, I•…•… the Merchants would not be angry to have an Embargo laid upon their Ships, and their Goods seized. He would say some∣thing—Nay, pray Sir speak out; the Merchants will exer∣cise so much self-denial sure for once as to be beggered. Why then this is the something he would say. That the vast increase of Trade does vsually reflect some inconveniences upon Ecclesiastical Affairs: The most favourable Indictment surely that ever was drawn up against an evil of so pernicious consequence in all the world. 1. They are but inconveniences; and what Commodity is there but is attended by some small inconveniences? 2. They are but some inconveniences neither, as perhaps, that one of the wealthy un governable Fanaticks cannot be called to account in the Ecclesiastical Courts, because he is extra quatuor Maria, or so. 3. It's not always neither, though usually that these fatal effects follow it; for sometimes an Eclipse, or Quartile A spect may be disappointed of its malignant influence, by the interposition of a more bening Planet. 4. Nor has Trade a direct spleen against the Church, it does but reflect its malevolent Beams; now you know that Radius reflexus langu•…•…t. 5. Nor is Trade, quà Trade, in it self considered, but the increase, and the vast increase of Trade that has all the guilt upon it; so that if we could perswade Merchants and Tradesmen, either not to Trade, or not to thrive of their Trades, it would prevent all this mischief, and I durst undertake to perswade one half of them at least to this latter, if that would reconcile them to him. 6. And these Inconveniences are but to Ecclesiastical Affairs. Religion will not be prejudiced, nor Holiness suffer I hope; but there are some Affairs, whatever they are, that some Ecclesiasticks are a brewing, will not work so well: In one word it's all but Cere∣monies.

The most Christian King is all this while endeavouring to settle Factories and Plantations for Trade abroad, and to gi•…•…e •…•…t all possible encouragement at home. And indeed they say, he has a very wise Council about him; who verifie the old Proverb, That the French are wiser than they seem; and they tell him, that whatever Quarter he carries with these Church-men, who have ever private desings of their own distinct from the general inte∣rest of that Monarchy; yet Navigation and Trade must be encou∣raged, and let the Priests fume and fret, or whine, and put the finger in the Eye, all's one, he will settle commerce for all the idle chat of Kirk-statesmen: But to speak truth, I do not hear, that the Clergy there, whether Regular or Secular, have these dreadful apprehensions, That the Rise of Trade will be the Fall

of the Church▪ and perhaps the Reasons of things they differ. They have Legions of Ceremonies, and may well spare some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tered Companies; their Commons are stock'd sans Number, and if they were a little stinted, the rest would thrive the better; but should we lose a Brace, or a Leash, we were half undone; and yet I am confident, that Wise and Valiant Prince, would sell us a dozen of the best Ceremonies he has in his Empire, for one half of our Trade, and thank us into the bargain.

We should smile at the tenderness of the Gentleman that would throw himself, and hopes away, to satisfie the impotent longing of a Green-sickness Girl; and others would as much smile at us, should we sacrifice the Wealth and Strength of a Nation to the Humour of those, who for a few Ceremonies which apprized by indifferent persons, are not worth one of our Plantations, would loose both: But if the Trade of a Nation be os no more concern∣ment then to be cast away for such trifles, all we shall gain by the hand, is an Additional Reason why they are c•…•…lled Beggarly Rudiments.

You are therefore satisfied that it was mannerly done to scrape a L•…•…g to the Merchants before he would propound so harsh, and displeasing a business: He would do it without offence, if he might be so bold! He envies no mans wealth; Its far from his thoughts to wish the Tide of Trade dammed up; offended! I wonder who could find in his heart to be offended at such civility? such potent charms of Rhetorick are able to perswade them to Moor up their Ships for ever, rather then import any of those Holland prohibited Commodities.

Readers, you are now to give your Attendance to a most elo∣quent Oration, wh•…•…ch is the Embalming of Trade, before it be converted to Mummy: for thus the Orator!

Trade is hugely advantageous to the publick as well as private per∣sons, in many respects, It much raises the parts, and sharp•…•…s the Wits of a Nation by forreign Conversatious; It opens a passage to the discovery of other Countries, and of the works of God and Man, of Art and Nature; Its the great Incentive, and Instrument of Hu∣mane Society. It makes all mankind of one Bedy, and by mutual intercourse to serve the occasions, supply the needs, and minister to the delight and entertainment one of another, It enlarges the minds of Me•…•…, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well as their fortunes, insomuch that any Nation is unpolite, unbred, and half barbarous without it; It inures men to hardship and danger, and instructs them in subtlety, and all the Arts of living and self-security, It adds much to the Beauty, Power, and Strength of a Nation, and to the Riches and Revenues of the Prince.—Dixi!—And yet all this notwithstanding—Ay! there's one evil in't which we little dream of, which out-weighs all those Convenien∣cies, Inlargement of Trade hath usually been attended (he must crave leave to say it) with as much latitude of Conscience: then some mens Consciences have above 70 degrees of South and North Latitude. And the heat of that, with as much coldness and indifferency in R•…•…gion. It's commonly observed to introduce great diversity of

Opinions, and consequently to abate of Mens Zeal for, and Reve∣rence of an uniformity in what was before established. And there∣fore better the publick were undone, Mens Parts and Wits made as dull as a Beetle, forreign Discoveries left to the pragmatical Dutch, all Commerce with other Worlds interrupted, and the Bri∣tains once again excommunicated from the rest of Mankind: Better a thousand times Mens Fortunes and Hearts were broken, the Glory of the Nation stained, its s•…•…rength shattered, the Ex∣ch•…•…quer exhausted; than Uniformity in some little things endan∣gered, one Ceremony disparaged, the Wills of some Clergie-men crossed, which might shorten their days, or one pair of Organs put out of Tune, which would make them grumble like a pair of Scotch Bag-pipes.

And to speak the truth, all the great ends of Trade might be se∣cured by Ceremonies, and an exact uniformity in them; for it will wonderfully sharpen Mens wits, and make them both as keen and blew as a Razer, to find out every day some happy new con∣ceit: Pope Vitalian was the Man that Glories first to have taught Mankind the Art of Worshipping God with a Box of Whistles. Society will be maintained by being all of a piece at home, and instead of forreign discoveries, an Inquisition will better search out the Terra Iucognita of Conscience, and let this Enquirer be one of the Lords Inquisitors of that Holy House; and the strength of the Nation would be better secured, if the Train'd Bands were un∣taught all their old Postures, to the right and the left, and knew nothing but face about to the East. The Beauty of the Nation will be so enhanced, that we shall shine with a painted face of Re∣ligion: And the old Controversie between Marc Liberum, and Mar•…•… Cla•…•…um, will be for ever determined, and that on the right side; which out of Zeal to the Honour of the incomparable Gro∣tius, every devout person is bound to pray for; nor shall the Seas any more be prov'd of their Blood, which have fought to assert their Right to that Rolling Empire.

It was then seasonably, and well thought on, to propound to us the Wisdom of the Lacedemonians, who that the Laws and Government might not be disturbed with Novelty; absolutely for∣bad Trade or Traffick, or so much as Travelling into other Coun∣tries, lest the Citizens should barter away their own Laws and Cu∣stoms, for those of other Cities. But then I doubt 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Laws were about the great things that concerned the Nations being. They did not make Laws, That every Mans Hair should be of a length, and then swear the people to observe them, and forbi•…•… Trade, lest they should bring in the Geneva Cut, and destroy Periwigs: And besides all this, they prohibited Travel as well as Trade; as good leave all the doors of a house open, as one, and stop never a leak, as not all, for one will sink the Vessel. Now how to restrain Travel deserves more consideration; and there∣fore let it be remembred, that Trade and Travel are no otherwise evil, than in their mischievous consequence; and could we se∣parate the gra•…•…d inconveniences from them, they would not

be Mortal; seeing then we Trade more into Holland. and Travel more into Italy, simple Travel cannot be so destructive as com∣pounded Trade.

These Arguments Cook'd up in good Language, may perswade all Men to step out of the way, and throw themselves over the Bridge in convenient season; for what can be impossible to these Arts? But he had told us p. 35. That there are oftentimes Reasons that make one form necessary in one place and people, and not in ano∣ther. And therefore his Reasonings from Sparta will hardly go current in England: Some say Sparta was a free State, and there∣fore it may not hold in a Monarchy; and others say, these were the fundimental Laws of their Magna Charta, which they would secu•…•…e by abridging Trade and Travel; and not some odd Artic•…•…i Cl•…•…ri, what Garments their Priests should wear upon Holy-days.

But never was Man in such a distraction between his remaining pity to the distressed Merchants, and his yearning Bowels to the precious Ceremonies; so has the Merchant himself been di∣stracted in an Aphoretick Debate between his Lading, and his Life, till at last dear Life overcame the stickle of combating Objections, and over board went all his Merchandise: Thus this Compassionate Person would not have Trade die, but yet he must have Impositions live; and where are those grave Head∣pieces that can reconcile these differing Interests? Why yet he hopes that the English Reformation is such, that it may rather gain than lose Proselytes, by being confronted with any other Institutions: And there is no question but under its present Advantages it would do so, did not the severity of Impositions, and rigorous exacting of things which at best are but indifferent, at most doubt∣ful, and to many sinful, against which standing Caveats have been entred from the beginning of the Reformation, a little marre the sweet air of her truly beautious face, and thereby ren∣der her not altogether so surprizing.

But as the Case stands, from whence should we hope for this numerous Offspring of Proselytes? From amongst the Papists? Alas, they have conceived greater hopes of us: That their Tyber shall swallow up our Thames, before our London shall Proselyte their Babylon: And they are encouraged in their hopes, be∣cause 〈◊〉〈◊〉 say our Ceremonies are a Bridge over the Narrow Seas, not to let all the Women of Europe into England as we fan∣cy, but to admit Rome amongst us with all its Retinue of Pom∣pous Nothings, From the Reformed Churches then? Alas, they are satisfied in their Primitive simplicity, they content themselves that their Churches are True Churches, their Ministers Gospel Ministers; and though they may perhaps make a Journey now and then to learn English Preaching, they think it not worth the while to fetch Fire: The Expedients propounded to recon∣cile Trade and Uniformity, are as follow.

1. That there may be such Laws provided, and such care taken, that the one (I suppose he means Trade) be not discouraged, nor

the other (Discipline no doubt) corrupted. I have been studying what further Acts of Uniformity this Gentleman would have enacted; whether with the Grave Recorder he would introduce the Spanish Inquisition, or revive the Act •…•…r Banishment, or extend the Statute of Praemunire to every one that shall keck at a Ceremony; I hope God will pour out the Spiri•…•… of Wisdom and Understanding, of Counsel, and the fear of the Lord upon our Legislators: we may make Rods to whip our selves upon •…•…r Chil∣drens backs; and the Teeth of Posterity may be set on edge with those sowr Grapes, which though the Fathers did not eat, yet they planted the Vines that bore them. But what would he have? Why he would have a more simple way of Agriculture attended to, as it was amongst the Spartans, and this Nation formerly: Really if it had not been for these Spartans, I cannot tell what we should have done: But it's always thus when Divines will be Statesmen, and dictating to their Superiours▪ Scholars sit up late at their Studies, till the Cocks and their Brains begin to crow, and what uncouth whimseys breed in their Heads? There was once amongst us an odd Generation o•…•… Folk, we call'd 'em Adamites. and they would level all things, reduce all things to the mode of Paradise; such another Capri•…•…io is our Enquirer, who though he will not reduce Religious Affairs as high as the Apostle, yet Trade must be carried higher, and new modeled Secundum usum Spartae. I am a thinking what we should do with our Wool, which was once the staple commodity of the Nati•…•…n till the Ceremonies carried it; when we have spun it, wove•…•… it, and worn as much as we need, what must we do with the rest? I should never have guessed, but that there's an Old Stuff set off with a New Name, they call it Episcopacy revived, and that must employ the remainder.

I have heard of a supercilious Spanish Dom, who being ask'd by his Friend, How the English men lived? Answered, Oh they live by selling Ale to one another. The Answer was unpardonably scandalous, yet agreeable to the Morose Humour of that people: But to this very pass must we come, when the design against Trade takes, to Barter Food for Raiment; and both for Cere∣monies.

2. His next expedient is; That every one have so much Charity towards the Governours of his own Countrey, and th•…•… Church, as to think them both as wise and honest as in other places. And let me add: A great deal honester and wiser too. We hope our Gover∣nours are so wise, and tender of their Subjects, as to allow them their Consciences, the only thing God has reserved to himself, and that they are ambitious to preserve intire for him; which will sweeten all that cost and pains they are at in the Service of him, whom Divine Grace has set over them: But the highest opinion we can possibly entertain of the Wisdom and Sincere Pie∣ty of our Governours, may well consist with a Humble Petition, to be excused in that one thing the Immediate Worship of God.

As it does not imply that I am wiser or better then every man

whose Religion I cannot own in every particular, so neither doe it suppose that I entertain low thoughts of the Legislators Wisdom, because I cannot subscribe to his Tendries, whilst I patiently submit to his penalties, for it must needs be supposed that I judge him vested wi•…•… Authority from God to govern me, and wise in annexing a Sanction to his Law so equal, that I may submit to it, whose preceptive part I cannot discern so to be.

I have heard some plead in justification of the Severities infli∣cted on the Jesuites in Q. Elizabeth and K. Iames his Reign, that they suffered not for Religion, but disturbing the Govern∣ment, we humbly beg the same savour; Let not our Worship be accounted a Breach of the Peace, ipse fact•…•…, but if the matter be disloyal, or the Consequences turbulent and tumultuous, we have no farther to plead in our own behalf.

3. A third expedient is, That we impute not all the distractions of m•…•…ns minds, and the quarrels against the Church, to the bad∣ness of its Constitution, since this point of Trade hath such an in∣fluence, as we see both in the nature of the thing, and in the effects of it. I have no power to compound for the Trading part, and presume he has as little to treat on the behalf of the other part. The blame of our Distractions, Divisions and Quarrels, will lie whe•…•… they •…•…ught, let him or I lay them where we please; If Trade brings in multitudes of Opinions, yet that those Opinions make quarrels, is because perhaps one needless Opinion is made Cock of the Dung-hill, and Crows over all the rest its equals, and may be its betters. I think impartially there's blame on all hands, and if we could wave that sorry way of excusing our selves, by accu∣sing others, we were certainly in a fair way of Healing: yet one •…•…uint he has left unproved to the Charity of his well-disposed Reader, viz Th•…•… Trade in its own Nature has such an in∣fluence upon our Distractions.

4. His last remote Cause is from the Papists and Atheists, who both, though upon several grounds combine their malice against the Church

1. And first for the Papists: concerning whom he will treat of two things: first, why they are such Enemies to our Church; and then wherein the Fnmity discovers it self.

§ 1. What is the reason that these Papists should be such im∣placable En•…•…mies to this Church? did we ever go about to Blow up the Pope and his Consistory with Cun-powder? or ever Massa∣cre a Hundred Thousand of his Catholicks in Ireland? Oh no! It was a higher, or a deeper cause, no matter which, whilst our Enquirers penetrating Head can reach it.

1. Th•…•… decent order of our Church shames their Pageantry: Rome has a Brazen-face of her own; and I assure this Gentleman for all his C•…•…nfidence, it's not a little matter will serch the blood into her •…•…heeks. She has cause enough to blush, but she wants a bore-head; though the blood of Thousands of Protestants lies upon her Conscience, yet it appears not in her Looks:

But before our Enquirer upbraid them with their Pageantry, it will be necessary that he gives us the Nice critical difference between Ceremonies Decency and Pageantry; for if the definiti∣ons of both be not fixed to a hairs breadth, either the Papists will prove their Theatrical pomp to be Decency, or our Ceremonies to be Pageantry; If all mystical Rites be Decent, they will shew us Twenty for One; and will hardly be made to bl•…•…sh for their pe∣nury; or to envy our greater p•…•…y. But if they should be found a piece of Pageantry, they have infinitely out-done us, but with∣all, its no great commendation to have but little Pageantry in Gods Service.

2. The Dignity of the Church shames theirs: Dignity is a Term of Art, and capable of several meanings: If by Dignity we should (as we ought) to understand, A real essential worthiness, arising from something excellent in the account of God; then this Church has so out-stript her, that she ought not to be named in the same day and year. But if we speak with the Vulgar, and take this Dignity for some external glory shining out in secular Lu∣sire, which is that currant signification, which Custom, the Master of the Mint, has stampt upon It, I doubt she will hold up her Head, and not be dasht out of Countenance; she can prod•…•… her purpuratos patres, her Cardinals, (Princes fellows) her Digni∣taries, she can produce you her Acolytes, dancing attendance upon her Decans; her Deacons footing it after her Priests, her inferiour Clergy bo•…•…ing before her mitred Prelates; and al•…•… these orderly Reverencing their Metropolitan, but then she boasts unmeasurably, that she has an Ecclesiastical Head to be the Center of Union to all those; so that whether you run up the scale from the poor Ostiary to the Exorcist, and so upwards, or down the Scale from the supream infallible Noddle, moving, all the inferiour Wyers, she will brazen it out, and never hang down her Head.

3. The An ient Gravity of our Church reproves theirs: I am sorry for the Honour of our Church, which I truly Reverence, that this Gentleman in vying with Rome, should pitch upon those particulars, wherein if we do excel, and carry the day, it will be no such Victory as to challenge a Triumph; and yet such is the dubiousness of the case, that perhaps we may lose the day: I do not yet hear that Rome has disclaimed Antiquity to be one of the marks of the true Church: and know something of her presumption in applying into her self: Let any Antiquity short of Scripture Epocha, be fixt upon, and she will make a sorry shift to scramble through many a tiresome Century, and scuffle to come as near the Apostolical days as some others: Both sides I think have play'd at the game of Drop-father, so long till they are weary, and forced to confess, that some things now in usage, were unknown to the Fathers, and many things practi∣sed by the Fathers, which we have silently suffered to grow ob∣solete by desuetude.

I look upon these things as matters of course and form, to

look big, and set the best foot before: for if ever we confute Rome with an Army of hard words, Decency, Order, Antiquity, Gravity, they must be such as the Word of God has made so. It must be a Decency warranted by God himself, either from the Light of Nature, or Scripture; an Order of Christs Establishment; a Gravity exemplified from the Apostles; and an Antiquity which was from the Beginning; and when Scripture is once made sole Umpire in the Quarrel. As the Church of England will certainly run the Papist out of all distance, so the Non-conformist will begin to put in his stake, and perhaps win the Plate.

§ 2. If you ask how the Church of Rome undermines our Church, he answers.

1. She furnishes other parties with Arguments against it. It were much easier to evince, that the Euquirer has rather borrowed his Arguments from Rome, then Rome lent one to the Non-conformists: I think there's not one Arrow he can shoot against them, but I can shew him where't was borrow'd, or shotten from a Jesuites Quiver: where was that Argument taken from Axes, Halters, Pillories, Galleys, Prisons, Consiscations, as some express it, or as he more concisely, Executing the Laws, borrow'd, but from Rome? The Scripture knows it not, the better sort of Heathens abhorr'd it, Protestants disown it, Pa∣pists only glory in it.

Uterejure tuo Caesar, sectamque Lutheri, Ense, Rotâ, Ponto, Funibus, igne Neca.

And whence was that argument for Active unlimited Obedience to all things commanded by the Church, borrowed; for though it becomes no mouth so well as his that can boast of Infallibility, yet still we are pressed with the same Argument, and in the last resort Publick Conscience must carry it. I am sorry this impru∣dent person should give any one occasion to say further, that some of us at home, have furnisht Rome with Arguments against the Reformation, Arguments from the Scripture, Rome has none; from the nature of the thing, not one; but some have put into their Hands a left-handed Dagger, which does mischief enough, it's called Argumentum ad Hominem. Thus when we are earnest with them to throw away their Oil and Cream; they bid us, throw away our Cross; If we desire her to reform her Cowles and Copes, she calls to us to reform our Surplice. When we in a friendly way caution them not to feed upon the Devils flesh, they answer, As good eat his flesh as the Broth he was boiled in.

2. She is all for blind Obedience at home; but preaches up ten∣derness of Conscience abroad. And what the difference is between blind Obedience, and Obedience meerly on the account of the Com∣mand, I would willingly learn: And if any can shew us a better reason for the things commanded and enjoyned then that, we shall return him thanks.

If I might now borrow the Enquirers place so long as whilst I

propounded a few Enquiries, I would immediately resign to him his Province.

§ 1. If the enmity between the two Churches be so great as is pretended, what was the reason that so many Stars of the first magnitude in this Orb, were in Conjunction with the Dragons Tail? why were they so ready to yield him his Western Patriar∣chate, and all within the first four hundred years? which will at once bring England under his Subjection: though I much que∣stion whether the Grand Seignior will have so much good nature as to resign him the Eastern Patriarchate so easily.

§ 2. If the Church of Rome be this Churches Enemy, is she not then concerned to get more Churches to be her Friends? It's a wild Humour of some Church-men, that they will disoblige all the world, provoking every ones hand against themselves, whilst their hand is against every one; If Rome be an Enemy, she is a potent, malicious, subtle, and United Enemy, and it concerns a Church not to be divided at home, when her Ene∣mies are united abroad: and to combine with the forreign Pro∣testants in Love, were an excellent way to prevent the Combi∣nations of Romes hatred.

§ 3. It would be enquired, If Rome be such an Enemy, what should be that which provokes her wrath and indignation? what that should be that makes the envious Snakes, wherewith An∣tichrists head is periwigg'd to hiss and spit out their Venom? Does she Storm and Rage because we have retained two or three of her fine Ceremonies? that cannot be the Origin of her spight! They are those things wherein the Church of England, and Non-conformists are mutually agreed, that Rome opposes this Church in, and they are those things wherein this Church symbolizes with Rome, wherein she differs most from the Non-conformists.

When the Heathens triumphed in the great feats of their Maxi∣mus Tyrius, and Apollonius Tyanaeus, the Christians answered. That whatever good effect their Religion ever had upon the Lives of Men, was owing to those Principles and Truths, which it had in Common with Christianity; Thus will Dissenters plead, That whatever success this Church has had in its Ministry upon the Souls of Men, is due to those fundamental Truths and Do∣ctrines of the Christian Faith, which she obtains in Common with the Reformed Churches: On the other side; The Roman Faction persecutes and undermines this Church upon grounds equal to all the Reformed Churches, and this Church is angry (at least) with Dissenters for those matters wherein she seems to approach too near Roman corruption.

2. We come now to the Atheists; A Generation so abomina∣ble, of whom we may yet say as was said of the Astrologers in old Rome, Hec genus hominum semper vetabatur, & semper in urbe nostrâ retinebitur; A people always banished, yet never departed from the City; such a Tribe are these Atheists. Every one has a hard word for them, yet many entertain them: you shall not meet with a Man in a Thousand, but will liberally tail at•…•… damned

Machiavellian policy, which yet according to the proportion of their little wit, they strive to imita•…•…e: which tempt me to think, th•…•… they hate not so much his Knavery, as they •…•…epine at their ownf•…•…lly, and judge not his politicks so evil, as they are vext tha•…•… they cannot equallize him; That they Nibble at his principles, because they cannot reach his Wit.

It is but a slender evidence that another is in the right, because Atheists are so grosly wrong; And yet to declaim against Atheism, has these considerable Advantages: First▪ some think they may be securely Atheistical themselves, if they can but flourish with a few ingenious Sentences against them; and a witty Libel against such, is a sufficient Purgation for him that has a Talent to ex∣pose the rest of Religion: Secondly, it's a plausible Argument that that Religion must needs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 excellent, that has the worst of Men for its Enemies, and they must certainly be adjudged wor∣thy persons who are so Zealous against such Impiety; what Man of Charity would suspect Irreligion to wear the Cloak of f•…•…rvency against Atheism? And yet it's common to hear it hotly prosecu∣ted in the Pulpit, by some who come warm from that S•…•…rvice to the practise of it. I dare 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it to the judgement of the im∣partial world, whether he be not a •…•…in to a practical one who dis∣putes for a God, and then tears Men in p•…•…eces for worshippin•…•… •…•…im, according to the best Light they can get from Scripture an•…•… •…•…a∣ture? And in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a manner, as wher•…•…▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they ca•…•… find no 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but that 'tis not their •…•…on? and p•…•…ly was their own to•…•… not many years since, and pr•…•…ly had •…•…een so still, had they not been purchased into a better?

There are Three Questions here to be res•…•…ved. What Atheism is? Whence it comes? And wherein does it oppose the Church, and contribute to a separation from it?

1. What Atheism is, and who is the A•…•…st? And this is as needfu•…•… an Enquiry, a•…•… any of those 〈◊〉〈◊〉, wherewith h•…•… tormenced us in the •…•…ast Chapter: I assure the Re•…•…der, It is a word of a Volatile Nature, and Versatile Signification, as any that gives us trouble with its double meaning. In Germany an Atheist once signi•…•…ed a Person that medled with the Pop•…•…s Mit•…•…r, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Monks fat Bellies: Epic•…•…s of old some think was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Atheism, because he could not swallow Poly•…•…heisme: •…•…t home some conclude he must be an Atheist that s•…•…ruples the Ius Divinum of Ty•…•…hes: And if he shall detein a Ty•…•… Pig, he is a Sa∣crilegious Atheist to boot: Formerly it border'd upon Athei•…•…m to have denied the Divine Right of Episcopacy; but I see one may question that now, and yet be a Christian: What then an Atheist is? I shall leave to the Industry of this Enquirer.

2. But from whence this Atheism should proceed, is a Que∣stion that has been so fully Answered by a Learned and Honoura∣ble Pen of lat•…•…. I shall not need to repeat any thing: Yet this is obvious; That when Preachers Preach against Preaching, their Auditors may easily stumble into a belief, that what they Preach is not much material to be believ'd, when they had rather it

should not be Preach'd at all, than not under their Formali∣ties: If ever I should hear a Tradesman bitterly inveigh against Trading; that it never was a good World since there was so much Trading; that we never had peace since we had Markets twice a week; that there can be no peace or settlement expected, so long as Men may lay out their Money, and buy their Goods where they pleased, let such a one be dealt with as severely as the Enemies of Trade can wish. I shall not plead his Cause: To this if we shall adde▪ that when the World takes notice, that they who are called the Men of God, and are therefore supposed to know most of him, to be most like him, and to represent him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their lives as a Holy, Merciful, Tender, and Gracious God, a•…•… they present him in their Doctrine▪ shall yet with unwearied fury prosecute Men to Poverty, P•…•…ison and Grave, meerly for non∣com•…•…lyance in those things which themselves have invented; they give great occasion to Atheistical inclinations to say in their Hearts, As good believe no God, as one so cruel and unmerci∣ful, as his own 〈◊〉〈◊〉 repr•…•…sent him to us.

3. But the last is the most important Question: How, or where∣in does Atheism under 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Church? or contribute to separati∣on from it? That Atheism does oppose all Religion as such, was never doubted, in that it takes away the great Principle pre-sup∣p•…•…sed to all Religion. That there is a God; but how it does particularly oppose the Church of England, so far as she differs from others, is I conceive the present Question. It is somewhat difficul•…•… to imagine, that they who have put off Humanity, should scruple to put on an•…•… gat•…•… of obtaining Conformity. They who have renounced on•…•… God, will easily own a Thousand Cere∣monies; what were it to them i•…•… all the Numerous Rites of Rome were introduced, could they but get the sense of a Deity obli∣tera•…•…ed out of their Consciences, that they might sin without the stings and twinges of an approaching Judgment, which is the prefection they aim a•…•…? Their Heaven has no God in it, their Hell no Devil in it; It must be a strange Imposition which an Atheistical Throat cannot swallow; he that is of no Religion, (as I said) can subscribe to any Religion, to which those Principles are very cognate, which are contrived to avoid persecution under all Forms and Constitutions: How therefore they should be such grand Enemies to Conformity, I wait to be resolved. 1. The Atheists (says he) will not set th•…•…ir 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against a Fanatick, they must have higher Game: By this Argument our Enquirer has de∣monstrated himself to be no Atheist; yet I would not have him trust much to it; I suppose too they have found higher Game than Ceremonies, when they open their black mouths against God himself. 2. They inflame the Causes of Divisions, provoke Mens Passions, and exasperate Mens Minds one against another, He has spoken more truth than perhaps he is aware of in these few words: I have ever suspected, and now have warrant to utter my suspi∣cions, that it is a spice of Atheism that exasperates Men against those who quietly and peaceably Worship God Blessed for ever.

3. They scurrilously traduce all that's serious; and what they cannot do by Manly discourse, they endeavour by Buff•…•…onry: Thus these blind Bettles that rose out of filth and ex•…•…rement Buz about the World. And now I am sure where to find the whole Club of Atheists. Amongst those Churchmen who blaspheme the Office of the Divine Spirit as a Noise and Buz: Amongst those who openly scoffe at the Beauty, Loveliness, and Preciousn•…•…ss of a Re∣deemer: Amongst them who have no better way to confute the satisfactoriness of Christs death, then to make God like an Angry Man when his passion's over, and has glutted himself with re∣venge; amongst them who can no otherwise describe the Zeal of Christ for his Fathers House, then by the furies of a Iewish Zealot.

He has now dispatch'd the remote Causes of separation; and if the Reader complains, that amongst all these Causes he hears not a syllable of that grand Cause of all Divisions, the needless im∣posing of things doubtful or sinful, as the Terms of Union and Communion with the Church: Let him have a little Patience, he may find it in its proper place, viz. amongst the nearer, imme∣diate, direct, and proper Causes of separation, whither we now follow our Enquirer.