Gospel order revived being an answer to a book lately set forth by ... Increase Mather ... entituled, The order of the gospel, &c ... / by sundry ministers of the gospel in New England.

Qu. 17. May the Churches under the Presbyterian and Congrega∣tional Discipline maintain Communion with one another, notwithstanding their different Sentiments, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Church Government?

The Author answers, That they may and ought to do so. And truly, had this Book contained only this one Question and Answer, it might have turned to more Edification than the whole. He tells us, There was greater Differences than these in the Apostolick Churches 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thinks then we of latter Days may the better ••ear with one another▪ the effusions of the Spirit of Peace and Truth being since much restrained

The Reverend Author observes further, That both Perswasions have been Confessors and fellow Sufferers, and he thinks this should endear them. We think so too, but to our sorrow, some of us have heard ho•••• it hath been in England, & now, alas! we see it verified in our ••uthor▪ that when their own Persecution ceases, they carry on the Tragedy on others▪ We do not wonder at what the Author saith Mr. Baxter told him, That if all Independants were like N. England Independants, he would soon be 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ For we can easily guess what deceived that ex∣cellent Person (whose Moderation s••ited his Pie••y & Devotion) into so endearing an Expression. He form'd his Idea of New-England Independency by the Authors Plausible carriage when in London, which though for that time might be very sincere, yet either the difference of the Climate, or that his Dominion here is more rightful, quite a••e•••• him. We are assured, the Author is esteemed more a Presby∣terian than a Cengregational Man, by scores of his Friends in London▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is lov'd and reverenced for a moderate Spirit, a peaceable Dis∣position,

and a Temper so widely different from his late Brothers in Lo••don. He was most conversant at the Presbyterian Board, and of••••••est in their Pulpits, and professed the greatest Reverence for their Persons. And no wonder Mr. Baxter should be so e••amoured of such Independents! Did our Reverend Author appear the same here, we should be his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 P••oselites too. But we are loath to say how he forfeits that venerable Character, which might have conse∣crated his Name to Posterity, more than his Learning, or other honorary Titles can. To confirm what we have here said, the Author deelar••s how Instrumental he was to promote the Union betwixt the United Brethren in London. We only wish he would be as cordial and active to keep it, as he was to make it; or else the World will think his Zeal 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it was, because far enough from home, where In∣terest was not touched.

As for the three Articles of Ʋnion, which the Author transcribes, we would endeavour to maintain them, and all the rest. But there are some Cases and Times, when Ministers of some particular Opi∣nions will not bear to be consulted with. Or if there is a necessity of disobeying their Opinions for once, it is best not to consult them, meerly to do their Counsels the more Despight. We think this modest and ingenuous. Nor can it be reasonably expected that a Congregational Classis (if such there be) should be consulted in those things which are properly Presbyterian, their Prejudice, in favour of their own Opinions, rendering them unfit to advise with in that matter; and the more serious the application to such is, the more severely would they think themselves ••antered.

As to his Query, Whether the embodying into a Church state be not a mighty matter? We must needs profess, we want some better account what that is, before we can so esteem it. We read nothing in Scripture of gathering a Church, or embodying it into a Church state, unless it refers to the converting and baptizing of Heathen, and then admi∣nistring the Ordinances of the Gospel in a stated way to competent Numbers, whose convenience will permit them to meet constantly at one and the same place of Worship. All further Solemnity in this matter is ex abundant••, and therefore the matter seems not so very weighty.