The Preface.

THat the prime Act of Power enstated by Christ on his Apostles, as for the governing of the Church, (and ex∣orcising or banishing all devils out of it) so for the effectual performing that great act of Charity to mens souls, reducing pertinacious sinners to repentance, should be so either wholly dilapidated, or piteously deformed, as to continue in the Church only un∣der one of these two notions, either of an empty piece of formality, or of an engine of State, and secular con∣trivance, (the true Christian use of shaming sinners into reformation, being well-nigh vanished out of Christen∣dome) might by an alien, or an heathens, much more by the pondering Christian, be conceived very strange and unreasonable, were it not a title clear, that we are faln into those times of which it was foretold by two Apo∣stles, that in these last dayes, there should come scof∣fers, walking after their own lusts: the Pride and contumacy (which have almost become the Genius) of this prophane polluted age, heightning men to an Atheistical fearlesse scoffing and scorning of all that pretends to work any cures, to lay any restraint on them, to rob them of any degree of that licentiousnesse, which is become the very religion, and doctrine of some (under the disguise of Christian Liberty) and (the Lord be merci∣ful Page  [unnumbered] unto us) the practise of most rankes of Christian Pro∣fessors. This is the more sad & wounding a consideration, because it was antiently resolved, that Christianity where∣ever it entered in its purity, did plant all manner of exact and strict conscientious walking, all humility, meeknes, purity, peaceablenesse, justice, charity, sobriety, imagi∣nable; that wickednes and dissolution of manners was to be lookt on as the only heresie, (and therefore Simon Ma∣gus, the Nicolaitans, and Gnosticks, with other their neer∣est followers, that led the Van of hereticks in Epiphanius, are notoriously known to have been persons of the most vi∣tious, debauched, libidinous lives) and good life revered as the only orthodox professor▪ from whence (as nothing can be more consequent, so) I shall designe to inferre no farther conclusion, then onely this, that they which live ill in the profession of a most holy faith, (or farther then so, em∣brace and disseminate doctrines which tend to the dissolu∣tion of mens lives, making the good spirit of God the au∣thor or cherisher of any of their unchristian enterprizes) but especially they that discharge and banish out of the Church those means which might help to make the genera∣lity of Christians better, have the spirit of Antichrist work∣ing in them, even when they think themselves most zea∣lously busied in the beating down his kingdom. What those means are which might most effectually tend to the amen∣ding the lives of Christians, I shal need no farther to inter∣pose my judgement, then 1. by submitting it to Christs, who put the Keyes into the Apostles hands, on purpose as a means to exemplifie the end of his coming, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Mat. 18.11. to save that which was lost, not to usurpe au∣thority over the temporal power or sword, and like an apo∣plectick palsie-•it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to invade, or smite, or Page  [unnumbered] dissolve the sinews of civil government or peace, (tis a most sacred truth, that the spiritual hand hath no manner of ju∣risdiction, nor was ever believed to have for the first 1100 years, over Princes in their temporals; and the composition of the Anglican Church most perfectly, I had almost said, peculiarly acknowledges it) nor again to give an office of splendor or grandeur to the Clergie, an authority valuable onely from the ability of hurting others, or magnifying our selves over them, (which where it is pretended to, is indeed somewhat of the making of the heathen 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that lorded it over Gods heritage, served them∣selves, either their purses, or their ambitions, or their pas∣sions out of the subjects under them) but as Christ saith, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to administer charitably to them in the matters of the highest alloy, the divinest, valuablest charity of not suffering sin upon the brother, Levit. 19. And 2. by minding my self and others, what the Apostles say of this power, that it was given them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to build up the Church of Christ by it in general, and in particular 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to discipline them, whom no fairer means would work on, and teach them not to blaspheme in words or actions, to work them off from all lees of speculative, but especially of practical Atheisme. That these are the [not weak or carnal weapons of the Churches warfare, but mighty to bring down every strong hold] i. e. the most con∣tumacious, stout, importunate sinner, that doth but acknow∣ledge the truth of the Gospel, I shall anon have leisure to shew you. In the mean, the only design of this Praeloquium is, to awaken (if it be possible) the drousie world, and quic∣ken them so far from the mortified, putrified state of sinne and stupidity, as to be willing but to hearken to Christ him∣self when he comes but on a message of mercy to them, to re∣deem Page  [unnumbered] them from iniquity,*and purifie to himself a pos∣sessed purchased people (or the people which he had pur∣chased for that one end, that they might be) zealous of good works. If this general proposal, (so pertinaciously de∣cried by our actions) might once be thought worth the hear∣ing, then sure Christs peculiar way and method of work∣ing this cure, would be thought of some use and advantage also; not lookt on as a meer engine, or artifice of ambiti∣ous men, as they cannot be blamed to conceive it, who think it doth any way entrench on those regalities which are placed by God, I most willingly professe to believe, far above the reach of any humane authority, solo Deo mi∣nores; or else suppose it a tyrannizing, or triumphing o∣ver the most inferiour offender, (he that can take any car∣nal or sensual pleasure in the exercise of those Keyes, in the using that sharp engine of surgery, or ever draw it but in meer necessary charity, (to edification, and not to destruction) is one of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sonnes of blood, not fit to be admitted on a common Iury, much lesse advanced to be a spiritual Iudge) but as a most soveraigne medici∣nal Recipe, that which hath the inscription of Christ on it; not as of a Lord, but as a Iesus; not as a Law-giver, but as a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a Saviour and a Physitian of souls. And this peculiar way is the power of binding and loo∣sing, (the subject of this ensuing Discourse) which that it may be restored to its full vigor in this Church again, and (where ever sobriety shall advise) by addition of peni∣tential Canons be reformed or regulated, and being put into the primative Channel, may there be permi•ted to shew forth it self in the native purity and brightnesse, and so being ordered according to Gods designation, obtain Gods blessing to make it effectual to its end, (the almost Page  [unnumbered] only piece of reformation which this Church of England, as it hath been long, and as yet stands established by Law, may justly be thought to stand in need of) shall be the prayer of him, who professes to love and admire the beau∣ty of this Fabrick, even when it lyes polluted in its blood, and to wish no greater blessing to its dearest Friends, or, for whom he daily prayes, most implacable Enemies, then (that of old Ba•timaeus for himself, Lord that they may receive their sight) that the scales may fall off from all our eyes, that we may see and value what is so illustriously conspicuous, and •stimable in it self, and not so blear our sight with the observation of the miscarriages in this kind as not to discern or value the designation; which, if the abuses, and excesses, and mistakes (that have crept in in that matter) were timely discerned, and removed, and that which is Christian and Apostolical revived, and restored in prudence and sobriety, might yet again shew the world the use of that Prelacy, which is now so zealously contemned, and recover at once the Order and the E∣stimation of it, set more Saints on their knees in pe∣titions for reducing and restoring, then ever imployed their hands toward the suppressing of it. I shall no longer need to detain the Reader in his entrance, having no use of any popular topick to court, or get advantage on his affections, but desiring only to treat with his reason (as that is elevated by Christ) his more noble masculine faculty, and 1. From the institution of Christ, to shew him the benefit that will accrew to that better part of him, by continuing within subjection to this government: and 2. By the peculi∣arity of the Fabrick of this excellent (yet establisht) Church of England, to challenge the most sharp-sighted opposition to shew where the due execution of this power according to Page  [unnumbered]Law can provoke him to any thing, but charity and grati∣tude, both to the Saviour that designed, and to the Prelate that is his Angel in conveying this seasonable mercy to him; and more generally, where, or in what point of con∣junction, or motion, it can any way enterfere, or disturbe the civil interest. Which it would be hard to affirm of any other national Church in Europe, which hath any power either of repressing hereticks, or of reforming, or but of shaming notorious offenders, left in it. The Lord grant us unprejudicate honest hearts to judge uprightly of it, and every one of us, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, pretious ornament, 1 Pet. 3.4. (in stead of that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that bravery of hell in Macarius, that the proud is so well pleased with) I mean that meeknesse and quietnesse of spirit, to think some others may possibly discern betwixt good and evil, as well as our selves; and when that prayer is once heard, I shal then suppose that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that hath given The∣mistocles the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or preheminence over his fellows in the judgement of all posterity, (viz. that every man named him next after himself) will certainly end the present Church-controversie of these sad times. A moderate E∣piscopacy, with a standing assistant Presbytery, and * e∣very of those assigned his ful task and province of employ∣ment also) being the onely fourth, which as it will certain∣ly satisfie the desires of those whose pretensions are regular and moderate, (having by their study of learning & Chri∣stianity attained to some measure of that grace which A∣ristonymus of old recites among the benefits of Philoso∣phy,〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) cra∣ving nothing more, and in many things lesse then the stan∣ding Laws of the Land allow them, so will it appear to be that which all other parties can best tolerate, and which Page  [unnumbered] next himself, both Presbyterian, and Independent, and Erastian will make no question to chuse and prefer before any of the other pretenders.

This, I conceive, is not by me magisterially dictated, but already demonstrated à posteriori, by the experience which the few last moneths have yeelded us, since the pretensions of the Prelacy grew weaker, and of the other three more flattering and hopeful one against the other. Where in e∣very turn of the trembling motion, that which hath feared most to be supplanted by either of the other pretenders, hath been content to acknowledge, that their cost and in∣dustry in the eradication of Prelacy, is not likely to be re∣warded in this life, but with sorer pressures, or more dan∣gerous loosnesse, then that which formerly they had mourn∣ed under. And for a demonstration à priori. I suppose it sufficient, if it be but calmely considered, that the several excellencies of the other three, by which they set them∣selves out amiable and desirable to admirer• or followers, (the Presbyterians sharpnesse and severity against all ignorance and sin, the Independent zeale against mixt Congregations, and the Erastians care that the civil power may not be entrencht on, and that they that might receive benefit by the Word and Sacrament, should by no means be interdicted the use of them) may all and each of them be found (at least, as in mixture, refracted &) com∣pounded in this fourth: Which to shew particularly, would require a length beyond the bounds of this Preface, and on that civility to the Reader, it is now omitted, as also that I may not seem to have mistaken the point of the present controversie; which certainly among the quickest sharpest designers or managers of it, is not, what are the uses and excellencies of this power, but what the properest seat, who the fittest to be intrusted with it.

Page  [unnumbered]One thing yet more there is, which in this matter will deserve to be considered, viz. the Conscience of Our So∣vereigne, in order both to our common duty to Him, and to an honourable and durable peace, toward which how neer soever we conceive our selves advanced by provi∣dence, we cannot reasonably expect the sure blessing of God, to consummate and crown our hopes, if we doe not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the Apostles phrase, i. e. use all the expedients, that any ambitious man would employ to the attaining his worldly designe, I mean, all that prudence will suggest, and sober Christian conscience not reject, to the making up a happy compliance with him; in a word, if we do not by all moderate lawfull means love and follow peace, and consider them who have the le∣gal power over us.