two Governments of Coneetacut and Newhaven, if either have
any law in force against them, or so much as need of a law in that
kinde, 'tis more then I have heard on.
For our parts (I mean the Churches of New-Engl.) we are confi∣dent
through Gods mercy, the way of God in which we walke, and
according to which wee perform our Worship and service to Him,
concurreth with those Rules our blessed Saviour hath left upon re∣cord
by the Evangelists and Apostles, and is agreeable with the pra∣ctise
of those Primitive Churches mentioned in the Acts, and regu∣lated
by the same Apostles, as appeareth not onely in that Evange∣licall
Histiory, but in their Epistles to the severall Churches there
mentioned; yet neverthelesse if any thorow tendernesse of Consci∣ence
be otherwise minded, to such wee never turn a dease eate, nor
become rigorous, though we have the streame of Authority on our
sides. Nay, if in the use of all means we cannot reclaim them, know∣ing
the wisdome that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easie
to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without
hypocrisie, and the fruit of righteousness is sonne in peace, of them that make
peace, according to Iames 3. 17, 18. And if any differing from us bee
answerable to this Rule in their lives and conversations, we do not
exercise the Civill sword against them. But for such as Gorton and
his company, whose wisdome seems not to be from above, as appea∣reth
in that it is full of envyings, strife, confusion, am. 3. 15, 16. being
therein such as the Apostle Iude speaks on, v. 8. viz. earthly, sensuall,
devillish, who v. 16. despise dominion, and speak evill of dignities. These
v. 12, 13. are murmurers, complayners, walkers alter their own lusts, and
their mouth speaketh great swelling words, being clouds without water, car∣ried
about of winds, trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead,
plucked up by the roots, raging waves of the sea, foaming out their owne
shame, wandring starres, to whom (without repentance, which I much
desire to see, or hear of in him, if it may stand with the will of God)
is reserved the blacknesse of darknesse for ever. These I say are to be pro∣ceeded
with by another rule, and not to bee borne: who suffer as evil
dores, and area shame to Religion which they professe in word, but
deny in their lives and conversations. These every tender conscience
abhors, and will justifie and assist the higher Powers God hath ordained,
against such carnall Gospellers, who heare not the sword in vaine, Rom.
13. but execute Gods vengeance on such: for the Civill Magistrate is
the Minister of God, a Revenger to execute wrath on him that doth evil. And