Toleration disapprov'd and condemn'd by the authority and convincing reasons of I. that wise and learned man King James and his Privvy Council anno reg. 2do, II. the honourable Commons assembled in this present Parliament faithfully collected by a very moderate hand and humbly presented to the serious consideration of all dissenting parties.

To our Reverend, Learned, and Religious Brethren, the Prolocutor, and the rest of the Divines Assembled, and now sitting at Westminster, by Authority of Parlia∣ment: These present.

Reverend and beloved Brethren,

WE are exceedingly apprehensive of the de∣sirableness of our Churches Peace, and of the pleasantness of Brethrens Unity, know∣ing that when Peace is set upon its proper Basis, viz. Righteousness and truth, it is one of the best Possessions, both delectable and profitable: like Aa∣rons ointment, and the dew of Hermon. It is true by reason of different lights, and differing sights among Brethren there may be dissenting in Opinions; yet, a why should there be any separating from Church-Communion? The Churches Coat may be of diverse colours, yet, why should there be any rent in it? Have we not a Touchstone of Truth, the good word of God; and when all things are examined by that word, then that which is best may be held fast; but first they must be known, and then examined afterward. If our dissenting Brethren after so many importunate in∣treaties would have been perswaded (either in zeale to the truth, or in sincere love to the Churches peace, and u∣nity

among Brethren▪ or in respect to their own reputa∣tion by fair and ingenious dealing, or b in conscience to their promise made with the Ministers of London now five years since, or any such like reason••ble consideration▪ at last to have given us a full narrative of their Opinions▪ and Grounds of their Separation▪ wee are perswaded they would not have stood at such a distance from us as now they doe: But they chose rather to walke by their own private ligts than to unbosome themselves to us their most affectionate Brethren; and to set themselves in an untroden way of their own, rather than to wait what our Covenanted Reformation, according to the word of God and c examples of the best reformed Churches would bring forth: But the offence doth not ••n•• here▪ it is much that our Brethren should separate from the Church, but that they would endeavour d •••• ••et a warrant to Authorize their Separation from it, and to have Liberty (by drawing members out of it) to weaken and dimi∣nish it, till (so far as lies in them) they have brought it to nothing; this we think to be plainly unlawfull; yet this we un∣derstand is their present designe and endeavour. Wherefore (Reverend Brethren) haveing had such large experience of your zeale of Gods glory, your care of his afflicted Church, your earnest endeavours to promote the com∣pleat Reformation of it, and of their ready concurrence with us in the improvement of any meanes that might be found conducible to this end; we are bold to hint unto you these our ensuing Reasons against the Toleration of Independency in this Church.

1▪ The Desires and endeavours of Independents for a Toleration, are at this time extreamly unseasonable and preproperous: for,

I. The Reformation of Religion is not yet perfected and setled amongst us, according to our Covenant. And why may not the Reformation be raised up at last, to such purity, and perfection, that truly tender Conscien∣ces may receive abundant satisfaction, for ought that yet appears▪

2. It is not yet known, what the Government of the Independents is, neither would they ever yet, vouchsafe to let the World know, what they hold in that point, though some of their Party, have been too forward to challenge the London Petitioners as led with blind Obedi∣ence, and pinning their soules upon the Priests sleeve, for de∣siring an establishment of the Government of Christ, be∣fore there was any Model of it extant.

3. We can hardly be perswaded, that the Indepen∣dents themselves (after all the stirs they have made a∣mongst us) e are as yet fully resolved about their own way, wherewith they would be concluded, seeing they pub∣lish not their modell (though they are nimble enough in publishing other things) and they profess Reserves, and new Lights, for which they will (no doubt) expect the like Toleration, and so in infinitum, it were more seasonable to move for Toleration, when once they are positively determined how far they mean to go, and where they mean to stay.

II. Their desires and endeavours, are unseasonable, and unequal in divers regards.

1. Partly because no such Toleration, hath hitherto been established, (so far as we know) in any Christian State by the Civil Magistrate.

2. f Partly, because some of them have solemnly pro∣fest, that they cannot suffer Presbytery; and answerable here∣unto

is their practice in those places where Independency pre∣vailes.

3. And partly because g to grant to them, and not to other Sectaries, who are free born as well as they, and have done as good service as they to the Publick (as they use to plead) will be counted injustice and great Partiality; but to grant it unto all, will scarce be cleared from great im∣piety.

III. Independency is a Schisme.

1. h Independents do depart from our Churches, and so acknowledged by themselves.

2. They draw and seduce our Members from our Con∣gregations.

3. i They erect separate Congregations, under a separate and undiscovered Government.

k They refuse Communion with our Churches in the Sacraments.

5. Their Ministers refuse to Preach among us as Of∣ficers.

6. Their Members, if at any time they joyn with us in hearing the Word and Prayer, yet they do it not as with the Ministerial Word and Prayer, nor as acts of Church-Communion.

l Now we judge that no Schisme is to be Tolerated in the Church 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 1. Cor. 1. 10. 1 Cor. 12. 25. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Rom. 6. 17. with 1 Cor. 3. 3. Gal. 5. 20.

IV. m Many mischiefs will inevitably follow upon

this Toleration, and that both to Church and Common∣wealth.

First to the Church, as

1. Causeless and unjust revolts from our Ministry and Congregations.

2. Our Peoples minds will be troubled, and in danger to be subverted, as Acts 15. 24.

3. Bitter heart-burning among Brethren, will be fo∣mented, and perpetuated to Posterity.

4. The Godly, painfull, Orthodox Ministry, will be dis∣couraged and despised.

5. The life and power of Godliness will be eaten out by fri∣volous disputes, and vain janglings.

6. The whole course of Religion in private Families, will be interrupted and undermined.

7. Reciprocal Duties between persons of nearest and dearest Relations will be extreamly violated.

8. The whole work of Reformation, especially in Disci∣pline and Government will be retarded, disturbed, and in danger of being utterly frustrate and void, whilest every per∣son shall have liberty, upon every trivial discontent at Pres∣byterial Government and Churches, to revolt from us, and list themselves in separated Congregations.

9. All other Sects and Heresies in the Kingdome will be encouraged to endeavour the like Toleration.

10. All other Sects and Heresies in the Kingdome will safe∣guard and shelter themselves under the wings of Independency, and some of the Independents in their Books, have openly a∣vowed, that they plead for Liberty of Conscience as well for others, as for themselves.

11. And the whole Church of England, in short time will be swallowed up with destruction and confusion. And God is

not the Author of confusion but of peace. 1. Cor. 14. 33.

Secondly to the Commonwealth for.

1. All these mischiefs in the Church will have their pro∣portionable influence upon the Commonwealth.

2. The Kingdome will be wofully weakned by scandals and Divisions; so that the enemies of it, both domestical and forreign, will be encouraged to plot and practise against it.

3. It is much to be doubted, lest the power of the Magistrate, should not only be weakned, but even utterly overthrown, considering the principles and practices of Independents toge∣ther with their compliance with other Sectaries, sufficiently a known to be Anti-Magistratical.

b V: Such a Toleration is utterly repugnant and in∣consistent with that solemne League and Covenant, for Reformation and defence of Religion, which not only both houses of Parliament, but also persons of all sorts in both Kingdoms of England and Scotland, have sub∣scribed, and with hands lifted up to the most high God have sworn: a which Covenant likewise, both you, and we, and those that most earnestly pursue the esta∣blishment of Toleration, have made (or should have made) in the presence of almighty God, the searcher of all hearts with a true intention to performe the same, as we shall answer at that great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed. for

1. This is opposite to the Reformation of Religion, accord∣ing

to the word of God, and the example of the best reformed Churches, Article 1.

2. n It is destructive to the three Kingdomes nearest con∣junction and uniformity in Religion and Government, which might lead us and our Posterity after us as Brethren to live in faith and Love Art. 1.

3. o It is plainly contrary to that extirpation of Schisme and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound Doctrine, and the power of Godliness, which we have sworne sincerely, really, and constantly to endeavour without respect of per∣sons.

4. p Hereby we shall be involved in the guilt of other mens sins, and thereby endangered to receive of their Plagues Art. 2.

5. It seems utterly impossible (if such Toleration should be granted) that the Lord should be one, and his name one in the three Kingdomes, Art. 2.

6. This will palpably hinder the Reformation of Reli∣gion, inevitably divide one Kingdome from another, and unhappily make factions and parties among the People con¦trary to this League and Covenant; of which evill offi∣ces, whosoever shall be found guilty, are reputed in the Words of the Covenant q Incendiaries, Malignants,

Malignants and evil Instruments, to be discovered, that they may be brought to publick trial, and receive condigne punishment. Art. 4. & 5.

These are some of the many Considerations, which make deep impressions upon our spirits, against that great Diana of Independents, and all the Sectaries so much cryed up by them in these distracted times, viz. A Toleration, a Toleration. And however, none should have more rejoyced than our selves in the establishment of a Brotherly, Peaceable, and Christian accommodati∣on: yet this being utterly rejected by them, we cannot dissemble how upon the fore-mentioned grounds, we detest and abhor the much endeavoured Toleration. Our Bowels, our Bowels are stirred within us, and we could even drown our selves in Tears, when we call to mind, how long, and sharp a travel this Kingdom hath been in for many years together, to bring forth that blessed fruit of a pure and perfect Reformation; and now at last after all our pangs, and dolours and expectations, this real and through Reformation, is in danger of being strang∣led in the Birth by a lawless Toleration, that strives to be brought forth before it.

Wherefore (Reverend and Beloved brethren) we could not satisfy our selves, till we had made some dis∣covery of our Thoughts unto you about this matter, not that we can harbour the least jealousy of your zeal, fi∣delity, or industry in the opposing, and extirpating of such a root of gall and bitterness, as Toleration is and will be, both in present and future Ages; but that we may what lyes in us, endeavour mutually to strengthen one anothers resolutions, against the present growing e∣vils,

and that our Consciences, may not smite us another day for sinful silence, or sluggish deficiency in any point of Duty, tending to the glory of Christ, Honour of the Truth, Peace of the Church, Perfection of Reformation, Performance of our Covenant, and Benefit of present and succeeding Generations.

From Sion-Colledge Lond. Decemb. 18. 1645.

Subscribed by Us your affectionate Brethren, and fellow-labou∣rers in the work of the Mini∣stry, to whom Truth and Peace is very precious.

Notes

• a

  What is the keeping conventicles or private meetings but separa∣ting from our Church∣communi∣on.
• b

  Yet the Ministers of this perswa∣sion made as little con∣science of their Sub∣scriptions, Promises, ••ea, Oaths of Canonicall Obedience to their re∣spective Di∣ocesans.
• c

  Shew us the example of one refor∣med Church which al∣loweth her Ministers liberty not to use her esta∣blished Rits and C••re-
• d

  this is plainly our Brethrens designe and endeavour at this time.
• e

  The Pres¦byterians (although often pres∣sed there∣unto) will not declare wherewith they would be all con∣cluded, how far they mean to go, and where to stay in •• their desires of Tolerati∣on, & con∣descention.
• f

  It's noto∣rious Pres∣bytery would not in the late times tole∣rate Epis∣copacy.
• g

  To grant in∣dulgence unto a few, would offend many more of all Par∣ties. •••• hy may not In∣dependents, and all other Sectaries, desire the same fa∣vour, in case they provide Readers or Churches.
• h

  Ye al∣ready do, & (in case your Tolera∣tion be granted) will draw our members from our Congregati∣ons; which ye acknowledge true Churches.
• i

  Ye do in effect set up separate Churches.
• k

  Ye receive not the Sacraments (except some few) in our Churches, but at private meetings,
• l

  No Schisme is to be Tolera∣ted, as ye grant. But Presbytery is a Shisme Now, as much as Independency was by you declared to be Then. Therefore, (according to your own grounds) it is not to be Tolerated.
• Schismes.
• Divisions.
• m

  The same would follow if Presbytery were Tolerated.
• a

  And are not Presby∣terian Prin∣ciples known to be so too.
• b

  And as inconsistent with other Oaths im∣posed by Lawful Au∣thority, which that was not
• a

  Which Oaths have been taken by most of the chief stricklers for Toleration, and with a true intention (it was hoped) to per∣forme the same.
• n

  The To∣leration of Presbytery is no less de∣structive to the conjun∣ction and uniformity of all the three King∣domes than Indepen∣dency.
• o

  Seeing Presbytery is as much a Schisme from Epis∣copacy, as Episcopacy or Indepen∣dency was from Pres∣bytery, why do they now, instead of extirpation, desire the Toleration of it, contrary to your Covenant.
• p

  Toleration of Schisme rendreth Magistrates and Ministers accessary to the Errours, Sins, and Destruction of seduced and deluded People.
• q

  The Tole∣ration of deformity, even in little Matters, sometimes causeth factions and par∣ties amongst the People. Let us have a care we be not Incendiaries, or evil In∣struments for Sacrilegious spirits to work by, ill affected as well to Presbytery as Episcopacy.