Aron-bimnucha, or, An antidote to cure the Calamites of their trembling for fear of the Ark to which is added Mr. Crofton's creed touching church-communion : with a brief answer to the position (pretended to be) taken out of his pocket and added to the end of a scandalous and schismatical pamphlet, entituled Jerubbaal justified.

M^r Crofton's Position Examined, AND An Imposed Liturgy Justified.

THat 'tis pride and an over-weaning Conceit of their own worth which makes men Non-Conformists, I shall now give you a pregnant evidence out of the Pam∣phlet mention'd in the Title-page.

In a Postscript to that Pamphlet the Authour tells us of a Paper taken out of Mr. Crofton's pocket, containing his high way thoughts, which he committed to paper to communicate to a Non-Conformist. Having procured a Copy thereof (as he pretends) with some difficulty, he sends it to a friend, with his leave, to make it publick, and thereby (as he saith) to capacitate our Conforming Cler∣gy to resolve (if they can) one of the great scruples which (he saith) barreth M^r Crofton's Conformity, and Mini∣stration by a Liturgy.

The Position he lays down is this, That [A Minister of the Gospel cannot without sin receive a Liturgy generally and exclusively imposed.]

But wha•• is it the man contends for? That an Order and regular Method of praying,* 1.1 reading the Scriptures, and administration of other parts of Worship, in conveni∣ent time and order, successively each after other, in their proper place, this he confesseth to have been used in all Churches of Jews and Christians; and This (he saith) is dictated by all Rules of Order and Prudence necessary to hu∣mane

Society, so specified as to constitute an holy Convocati∣on. A Rubrick or Direction he acknowledgeth too, as the genuine product of Ecclesiastical Politie, and the For∣ma informans of that Uniformity in publick Order, which is maintain'd without Unity of Words and Forms, Terms and Expressions, as the ornament and honour of any parti∣cular and circumscribed Church. Such a Liturgy as this he allows of, that is, The Directory.

But stated Forms for the celebration of Solemn Publick Worship, and the several parts thereof, composed,* 1.2 digest∣ed, and (for the very words, terms, and expressions thereof) determined and prescribed by some others th••n the Parson, or Minister who standeth to minister Gods Ordinan∣ces between God and his Church; such an imposed Liturgy he cannot submit unto.

So that here we have a meer 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.3 a strife about words, terms and expressions, say the Apostle what he will to the contrary. And of what extraction is this quarrel then? From whence come wars and strivings a∣mongst you? come they not from hence, even from the lusts that war in your members? The Apostle takes it for grant∣ed, and the Wise man is positive in it, Onely by pride cometh contention. And it is so certain in this individua∣tion of it, That our Pick-pocket, or pretended Mr. Crof∣ton,* 1.4 hath not artifice enough to dissemble it: For he saith, It cannot be denied to be a most base and slavish servility, to prostitute the Office to which we are apted [but not without humility] and ordained by the Lord Jesus Christ, unto the pleasure and prescriptions of men, though the best for quali∣ty and authority.

But not so passionate, good Mr. Crofton; you may please to be so humble as to condescend to such an impo∣sition for peace and order sake; and that I prove by this Argument.

What I may lawfully be determin'd to by my own private judgment, that I may lawfully be determin'd to by the judgment of my Superiours.

But to stated Forms for the celebration of Gods solemn publick worship composed, and (for the very words, terms and expressions) digested into method, I may lawfully be determined by my own private judgment: Therefore,

To stated Forms for the celebration of Gods solemn publick worship, composed, and (for the very words, terms and expressions) digested into method, I may lawfully be determined, by the judgment of my Superiours.

In this Argument, the Minor or Assumption cannot be denyed; 'tis that Mr. Crofton contends for; for I hope he doth not exclude his judgment, when he pleads for the liberty of his own Invention to Compose and Modi∣fie his Forms of publick worship.

The Major is proved thus;

That which I may lawfully be determined to by a weaker judgment, to that I may lawfully be determined by a judgment that is stronger.

But to stated Forms, &c. I may lawfully be determi∣ned by a weaker judgment (viz. my own); therefore, to stated Forms, &c. I may lawfully be determined by a judgment that is stronger, viz. that of my Superiours.

To deny the Major in this Argument, were to make himself ridiculous; and in effect, to affirm, that a man may see more clearly by a dim light then by a brighter. And to deny the Minor were to arrogate to himself a bet∣ter judgment, then that of his Superiours; which cannot be done without intolerable pride and presumption, con∣trary to the express order of the Apostle, Phil. 2.3. Let nothing be done through strif or vain-glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better then themselves: That ye (may) walk worthy of the vocation, wherewith ye are cal∣led,

with all lowliness and meekness: endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, Eph. 4.1, 2, 3.

But (to lay the Axe to the very root of his Ratiocinati∣on) he saith the Ministerial Modification (of publick wor∣ship) by personal abilities,* 1.5 is the formal act of the Mini∣sterial Office; but to resign this formal act up to a Ministry-destroying-imposition is sinful.

But I deny the Modification of worship by personal abi∣lities to be the Formal act of the Ministerial Office. The Formal act of the Ministerial Office is to Minister; the Modification as well by personal Abilities, as by publick Authority, is extrinsecal and circumstantial to it. To make the Modification of the Act to be the Formal act it self, is to make the Apparel the Man; which is very absur'd, except it be in a man of clouts; and truly Mr. Crofton's Argument is no better.

Object. But the Imposition and Prescription in Prayer and Sacraments is applicable to preaching.

Sol. To which I answer, 1. That certainly a Sermon is never the worse for being well digested; And, 2. if it be seen and allowed by Authority, I know no harm in it; And, 3. if it were not an endless work, this course would secure the peace and solid edification of the Church the better; And, 4. when the Presbyterians Preach other mens printed Sermons, (as some of them are frequently observed to do) this is supposed to be no prejudice to the interest of those souls that hear them.

But the truth is, there is a vast difference betwixt Pray∣er and Preaching, for our Saviour hath taught us, that the first may be regularly and fully comprised in a short Office; whereas the later hath as many Fields to expati∣ate in, as there are several Texts in the holy Bible; and here lies the most proper Scene, for the variety of Gifts to perform their publick exercise upon.

Besides, Gifts being design'd for the edification of the Church, Governours are concern'd to take care they be not abused to the confusion of it, 1 Cor. 14.32, 33. Uzzah did but imploy his Gifts; and Corah might pretend to do no more.

What M. Crofton objects,* 1.6 by way of instance, touching the Parish Clerk and people is no more to our prejudice, then it is to his own purpose; for without all peradventure they are a general part of the holy Priesthood S^t Peter speaks of;* 1.7 & 'tis their duty to bear a part in Gods solemn worship.

But I cannot think (saith Mr. Crofton,) that any Bishop or his examinant will judge a School-boy,* 1.8 twelve yeares old, sufficiently qualified to execute the formal act of the Ministerial Office; and indeed, no more can I. But we must not so look to personal abilities as to forget Divine Ordination. An ordinary Butcher, under the Law, could dress a Lamb or a yoak of Oxen, as well as the best of the Sons of Levi; and yet his per∣sonal abilities did not qualifie him to offer sacrifice. The efficacy of the Ministry does flow, as little, I am sure, ex opere operantis, as ex opere operato; it depends not upon the cant and tone, or the wording of the Minister that doth officiate, but upon the Institution and Promise of Christ himself. And Mr. Crofton cannot be our adversary in this;* 1.9 for, he saith [I hope Protestants make not the inten∣tion, or intrinsecal power of the Administrator, the formality, and so the efficacy of the administration,] which is enough to cut the throat of his Argument; for it follows from hence by an undeniable consequence, that the efficacy of the Ministry does not depend upon personal Abilities. And, if another concession of his, at the end of the same Page, be well considered, viz: that [the Minister must not vary any thing in the matter and sub∣stance of appointed worship.] it will make much for the

credit of stated Forms in the several parts of our Ministra∣tion, as being; out of all question, far less subject to the danger of varying from the matter and substance of ap∣pointed worship, th••n the modification of it, especially by the extemporary exerting of personal abilities.

So that upon the matter Mr. Crofton is still condemned of himself; and till some better evidence be brought to the contrary, I must remain (as formerly) in this opini∣on, that Pulpit Conceptions are (but) Popular Deceptions; And to the Treatise that bears that Title I refer the Rea∣der for a fuller proof thereof.

In the mean while I shall offer Mr. Crofton and his par∣ty a proof, that they are bound to submit to the use of a prescribed Liturgy, that they may be at peace with their Governours and their own Consciences, by keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace with the Church of God.

To do whatsoever is morally possible, for Uniformity and peace sake, is your duty.

But to submit to the use of a prescribed Liturgy is mo∣rally possible.

Therefore, to submit to the use of a prescribed Litur∣gy is your duty.

The Major is proved by Apostolical injunction; if it be possible (and) as much as in you lieth, live peaceably with all men, Rom. 12.18.

The Minor is proved thus;

That which is not sinful, and is within our natural power is morally possible. But to submit to a prescribed Liturgy is not sinful, and is within our natural power;

Therefore, to submit to a prescribed Liturgy is moral∣ly possible.

The Major of this Argument [what is not sinful and is within our natural power, is morally possible] cannot rea∣sonably be denyed.

The Min••r, as to the last branch of it, [to submit to a prescribed Liturgy is within our natural power] this is evi∣dent of it self.

The first branch [to submit to a prescribed Liturgy is not sinful,] is proved thus.

What is forbidden by no Law is not sinful. But to submit to a prescribed Liturgy is forbidden by no Law. Therefore, to submit to a prescribed Liturgy is not sinful.

The Major is proved by the definition of sin; sin is the transgression of the Law, 1 Joh. 3.4.

The Minor is justified upon this account. 1. As to the Form of Words, that is not forbidden by any Law of God; for the Apostle saith, Hold fast the Form of sound words, 2 Tim. 1.13. and, I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak THE SAME THING, 1 Cor. 1.10. That ye may with ONE MIND and ONE MOUTH glorifie God, Rom. 15.6.

2. As to our submission to the use of such prescribed Forms, that is no where forbidden neither: but on the contrary, it is commanded, Heb. 13.17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit your selves; and we should remember, that to obey is better th••n Sacrifice, 1 Sam. 15.

Upon these grounds I conclude against Mr. Croftons Position, that a Minister of the Gospel may, without sin, receive a Liturgy generally and exclusively imposed, for the Celebration of Gods Solemn Publick Worship.

And the receiving such a Liturgy,* 1.10 upon the Authority of our Superiours, with all submission and obedience does not resolve the Administrator into the Dilemma of obey∣ing God or man (as Mr. Crofton pretends;) for God and man stand not here in opposition, but subordination; and he that does not obey both, does obey neither.

Notes

• * 1.1

  page 1.
• * 1.2

  page 2.
• * 1.3

  1 Tim. 6.4. 2 Tim. 2.14.
• * 1.4

  page 3.
• * 1.5

  Pag. 4, & 5.
• * 1.6

  Pag. 6. in fi••e.
• * 1.7

  1 Pet. ••.5.
• * 1.8

  Pag. 6.
• * 1.9

  Pag. 7. line, 2, 3.
• * 1.10

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Croft. pag. 2.