The covenant of grace discovering the great work of a sinners reconciliation to God / by John Cotton ... ; whereunto are added Certain queries tending to accommodadation [sic] between the Presbyterian and Congregationall churches ; also a discussion of the civill magistrates power in matters of religion ; by the same author.

The 12. Querie.

Whether it be unlawfull, or may be truly accounted a necessary cause of Disorder or Confusion for godly Christians, living in se∣verall

Precincts or Parishes (not far distant, but so as they may ordinarily meet together in one place) to joyne in Church-fellowship together, for mutuall spirituall edification?

That 'tis a very convenient and de∣sirable thing for the Members of a par∣ticular Congregation, to inhabit and dwell as neer together as they may, in regard of their meeting together upon all occasions, and of mutuall watch∣fullnesse over each other, and of spiri∣tuall helpfulnesse unto one another, is easily granted by all: yet it will not therefore follow, that 'tis an unlawfull and disorderly thing for them to have their Abiding and Residence in divers Precincts and Parishes.

Indeed 'tis true, that it hath been ac∣counted by the Prelates and the Prela∣ticall party, a very disorderly and un∣lawfull thing, and that which did ex∣pose to the greatest of their spirituall censures, for people ordinarily to goe to the Assemblies of Christians out of their owne Parish. But their Account doth not make or prove it to be so: neither doth it seem really and in truth to be so: For,

1 The Constitution of Parochiall or

Parish Churches, is not of Divine, but of humane Institution, and that too in the very darkest times of Popery and Superstition, viz. about 700 years ago, as learned Mr. Selden (in his Book of Tythes, ch. 9.) seems to intimate. So that although it may seem a disorder, (in regard of that limitation of Parish∣es) for the Parishioners of one place to joyne themselves unto the Church Assemblies in another; yet not in re∣gard of any thing appearing to the contrary from the Scripture, which is the rule for Christians to walk by, e∣specially in matters belonging to Church-Administration, and Govern∣ment. Neither will it (I suppose) be affirmed by any intelligent Christian (who understanding in any measure the true Nature of a particular Church) that Parish-bounds are the constituting cause of a particular Church or Con∣gregation; for it cannot be maintain∣ed that every individuall person living in such a Parish bounds, is therefore a Member of that Church there, except it can be proved, that professed Turks, or Jewes, or Indians (who through providence may be brought into the

Land, and so necessarily reside in some Parish or other, there being hardly any parcell of ground free in any part of England, from belonging to the bounds of some Parish or Towne) are as reall and true Members of the Church there, as any Christian man or woman in the Parish. I conceive it neither any sole∣cisme or Paradox to affirm, that there may be a Parish where there is no true Church of Christ, and a true Christian Church where there is no Parish.

2 It may seem too great a bondage and slavery, both for any Church (whe∣ther Presbyter: or Congregationall) to be forced to receive all into fel∣lowship in all the Ordinances, who have their habitation or residence in the same Parish bounds with them: and also for particular persons to be necessi∣tated to be of this or that particular Congregation, in fellowship with such Members, and under the Ministry of such a man, which they cannot find so suitable to their spirits, and so profi∣table for their spirituall edification, as some others, which may not be far off from them. And whereas it may fall out (which possibly may come in here

as an Objection) that the Minister, un∣der whom a man liveth, is taken away by death, and another one called into his place and Office by the generality of the Church, who may be as unsuita∣ble unto the Spirit of this or that Bro∣ther, as the Minister of the Parish where he dwells, or as any other, shall not be bound to submit to the choice of the Church, or must the Church suspend their choice upon the Negative vote of any one Brother? In such a case 'tis lawfull for that dissenting Brother, who cannot call such a man to be his Minister, nor owne him as his Pastour or Teacher, to desire a Letter of dismis∣sion to some other Church and Officer, whom he can more freely and com∣fortably close in his spirit withall, and I suppose that Church, with whom he hath fellowship at the present, is bound to yield unto his equall and just desire, that so they may part in a loving and brotherly manner. We doe generally allow every servant so much liberty for his outward comfort and advan∣tage, as to choose his owne Master, in whose Family, and under whose Go∣vernment and inspection he is to live,

and why should not Christians also (being made free-men by Christ) have as much liberty for their spirituall comfort and edification, to chose the particular Church under whose teach∣ing and inspection they are to abide: And why else hath the Lord (out of his infinite goodnesse and wisedome) given out diversity of gifts to divers of his Servants in the Ministry, but to suite the variety of spirits and disposi∣tions in his people? Every lock not agreeing with every key; as our Reve∣rend Author was wont to express him∣selfe, speaking of this very thing.

3 Experience doth also testifie, de facto, that such a course is possible to be used and practised without making such disorder and confusion, as is con∣ceived by some: For notwithstanding it be practised by some Churches (not onely Congregationall, but Presbyteriall also, and Classicall) to have their Mem∣bers scattered up and down in severall Precincts or Parishes, yet there have not any such confusion and disorder fol∣lowed thereupon: as we have seen by the constant practice of our Brethren in the Congregations both of the Dutch

and French here amongst us in England, as viz. in London, Norwich, Canterbury, Colchester, and in such other places where they doe inhabit; who although they be dispersed throughout the Ci∣ties and Townes where they live, yet are not thought, nor ever were by any (except possibly by some of the Lordly Prelates, who out of their superstitious zeale did seek to undermine and dis∣solve their Congregations) to be any occasion of disorder and confusion by their Meeting together in their holy Assemblies, from all parts of the Cities and Townes where they dwell. And why might not the like liberty be al∣lowed unto the English themselves, without any just feare of disorder thereby? There seems nothing but cu∣stome against it, for had it been but the practice and course of the English, as it hath beene of the other, certainly it would not be accounted more disor∣derly then theirs is.

Onely if (while the division by Pa∣rishes doe continue) men doe allow and contribute, not onely toward the Poor, but also toward the Preaching of the word in their severall Parishes,

that the word may be dispensed all the Land over, I should not gainsay it, as I suppose the brethren both of the French and Dutch have been wont to doe, in the severall Parishes where they live.

Finally, Brethren be of one mind, live in Peace, and the God of Love and Peace shall be with you.