An argument for union taken from the true interest of those dissenters in England who profess and call themselves Protestants.

The Conclusion.

IF then, Dissenters are not likely to obtain their Ends; of Establishing themselves, of rooting out of Po∣pery, and promoting pure Religion, by overthrowing the Church of England; the Inference is natural, they ought, both in Prudence and Christianity, to endea∣vour after Vnion with it.

They will (it may be) say to me, can Men be per∣suaded two contrary ways? Can they both Assent and Dissent? And whilst they secretly Dissent, would you force them into an Hypocritical Compliance? I An∣swer thus.

First, Though a Man cannot at the same time whol∣ly Assent and Dissent; yet there are means for the re∣ctifying of a false persuasion; and he may, upon good Ground, change his Mind.

Secondly, No Man's Mind can be forced; for it is be∣yond the reach of Humane Power.

Thirdly, Good Governours do not use Severity to force Men to dissemble their Minds, and to make them Hypocrites, but to move them, after a Tryal of fair means, to greater consideration.

I am not concerned in the Emblem of the Persian Dervi* 1.1 who, whilst they go about their Office of teach∣ing the Law to the People, carry a great Club in their

hand. But neither do I think that the best way to remove pernitious error from Men, is never to give them any disturbance in it.

I have two things only to recommend, first to the consideration, and then to the practice of such as Dissent.

First, This is a time of Prosecution, and a time of Adversity is a proper time for Consideration, and Consi∣deration is a means to make us hold fast that which is good, and reject that which is evil. I beseech you, make such advantage of this Juncture. Sit down, and think once more of the Nature of this Church. Confer with the Guides of the National Religion; read without prejudice, the Books commended by them to you. Peruse seriously the Books which Authority hath set forth. Some who have spoken against them, have by their own confession, never read them. Examine, and Judge. Many of your Scruples have arisen from what you have heard, and read; they would not have otherwise been ingendred in your Minds. Hear and Read for your Information, as well as your entangle∣ment.

Secondly, Do as much as you can do. Do as much as the Dissenters, who are most eminent for Learning, Piety, Preaching, Writing, Experi∣ence, and Fame; sometimes actually do. They have owned our Communion to be lawful.* 1.2 They have received the Communion kneeling. They

have bred up Children to the Ministry of this Church. They have joyned in the Liturgy. They have been Married according to the Form of it. Nay, one who assisted in making the Directory, would have his own Daughter (in those times) be Mar∣ried in the way of the Book of Common-Prayer.* 1.3 Do as the antient Non-conformists did, who would not separate, though they feared to Subscribe: Who wrote with such Zeal against those of the Se∣paration, that Mr. Hildersham was called,‖ 1.4 The Maul of the Brownists.

Do more for the Peace of God's Church, then for a Vote, or Office, or Fear of Legal Penalty. Come as Christians to the Sacrament, and not as Politicians. Those who have so done, yet break the unity of the Church, are said to use the Arts of Jesuites, and to be without all excuse, by a Dissenter* 1.5 who writes with commendable temper.

Do constantly what you do upon occasion. No Preach∣ing, or Praying, which is better liked, can ballance the evil of Separation from a Church, which imposeth no terms of Communion which are sinful.

For Peace sake, let that be more constant, in which your Conscience alloweth occasional exercise. A Mem∣ber who joyns himself to any established Church, and also to any Churches which are set up, not as legal Sup∣plements of it, but as Forts against it, seems to be a kind of Wooden Legg; if I may represent so grave a matter by so light a Similitude. He is tyed on, and ta∣ken off, at pleasure; he is not as, by natural Liga∣ments

and Nerves, knit to such Ecclesiastical Bodies. If all would do constantly what they can in Conscience do sometimes, they would create a better Opinion of themselves, in the Governours, and move them to all due favour, and hinder all the destructive breaches amongst us. For the remain of other Dissenters would be so inconsiderable, as to abide in the Body of the Na∣tion, as ill humors thrown off to the extream parts, from which there may arise some little pain, but no mortal danger.

Now, the God of Peace grant Peace to us always, by all fit means.

The END.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tavern. Pers. Trav. l. 4. c. 6. p. 155, 156.
• * 1.2

  See Lawf. of hearing the publick Ministry, &c. by Mr. Nye, Mr. Robinson, &c. and Mr. Corbet's Non-Conformists Plea for Lay-Communion.
• * 1.3

  Mr. Mar∣shall in Hist. of Indep. 1 part p. 80.
• ‖ 1.4

  See Dr. Willit's Epistle De∣dicatory before his Harm. on 1 Sam. Schismaticorum (Qul vulgò Brownistae) malleum.
• * 1.5

  Vox. 〈…〉〈…〉 6. p. 49, 50, &c.