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The practical power of godlinesse is generally more evi∣dently visible, and the lives of the generality of the people more strict, pious, lesse scandalous and licentious in our Eng∣lish Congregations, where there hath been powerful preach∣ing, without the practice of Excommunication or Suspension from the Sacrament, then in the Reformed Churches of
France, Germany, or Scotland: Our English Ministers and Pro∣stants generally excel all others, notwithstanding their strict Discipline.
Whence we may infer, That the Vindication, though it pre∣tend, in the general or face of it, to be for Presbytery, yet it is very clear, that, in aspersing the Government of all those Re∣formed Kingdoms where the practice and power of it hath been, it secretly wounds the glory of it, in the opinion of the world; and though it pull not down the Government quite, yet it wea∣kens the Posts, or Judgements of men, on which it stands. I name not here the other Texts that the Vindication hath pull'd out of the building of the Presbyterial Government; for the taking out the Scriptures, are like the pulling out the nalls and pins from the house, and a loosning of the frame. This I ob∣serve, because the Vindication professes so for that Government; though I suppose many such friends, in time, might do as much harm, if not more, then those of the Separation, whom he calls their enemies. Surely, I do believe, France, Germany, Scotland had rather such Books were not writ in their behalf, that opens the evil, corruption, and grievances of their Go∣vernment so much.
But I shall argue further: What need such comparing of the mixt Congregations of several Kingdoms, ours and theirs? Surely they are all corrupt enough, and mixt enough; and a Law for all sorts of sinners to communicate, as the Vindication would have, would not much more reform, because it would then be a kinde of Church-priviledge to be a sinner, or a scan∣dalous person; and to be something notoriously wicked, would be a way of enrighting them to Church-Ordinances, according to the Principles of Vindication, however some fair pretences and Colours are laid on, that we should believe the contrary.
But what of all this? I believe there is another reason why the Government hath brought forth no more power of godli∣nesse upon the Kindoms then the Vindication observes; because neither the Parishes are constituted, nor yet the Government,
according to Gospel-order: yet I honour them as Believers, and Brethren in the Lord, according to their light.
Yet I observe another secret, why the preaching of the Word thrives better, and reforms more then the Government in these Kingdoms, because that the Preaching of the Word is an Ordi∣nance of the Lord; and when preached or held forth to un∣godly, scandalous, and notorious sinners, is but according to its right order of Institution so preached; the end of the Lord is but fully and clearly served, because the Word, in the ministe∣ry of it, is appointed for a converting Ordinance; but the Go∣vernment and Discipline being not instituted as a converting Or∣dinance primarily, but for a people already converted and brought in, it cannot be accompanied with such power from heaven, because it is not managed according to pure Gospel-or∣der, nor upon a people rightly prepared and fitted: so as the fault is not, because there is a Government, as the Vindication observes; but, not the pure Government, nor the Government rightly placed.
And for his Charge against the purer Congregations, as I know not any such doings amongst them; so I will make no Apologie for them, because that would bring them within the compasse of something like a crime; and I know nothing but well by them.
See fol. 3, &c.