Light in the way to Paradise with other occasionals / by Dvdley the 2d late Ld. North.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Presbyterian claim.

ANOTHER Government there is cal∣led Presbyterian, and received by many of the Reformed Churches, consisting of a sub∣ordination of mixt Assemblies, containing per∣sons

both Spiritual and Laique, founded upon Parochial Congregations, with successive ap∣peals from thence. This Government by preparatives to the Eucharist assumeth a power, and presseth as much (or more) upon Con∣science, as that of the Romish Prelate. This affirmeth it self to be grounded upon Divine Right, and yet was altogether unknown to the Ancients, having little or no foundation in Scripture, for the Text most insisted upon by the assertors of it, which is, Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double ho∣nour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine, 1. Tim. 5.17. concludeth nothing for Lay-elders, since it is most naturally inter∣preted, by a difference in point of industry between persons Ecclesiastical. It is a Govern∣ment which seemeth adjusted to the latitude of a Democracy, and not to the altitude of a Monar∣chy, for in a Democracy where the supreme power resideth in many, and those being persons not taking any great State upon them, the States∣men may easily disperse themselves, and have an influence upon those Assemblies by private con∣ference with the Leaders; whereas in a Monar∣chy the Sovereign dealeth better with single persons, as the Bishops, in whom the common people have not so particular an interest, as they may have in those mixt bodies. The Emperor Caligula meant something, when he wished that the people of Rome had but one Neck that he might with ease cut it in two.

If therefore it were lawfull for a State to fit a Church Government to its own constitution, I conceive that Monarchies and Democracies might speedily accommodate themselves in a choice. I confess that the Presbyterian Go∣vernment, by reason of the last Appeal, is very good for Unity, which is a precious thing, and much to be desired, but in no man∣ner (to my best observation) promised by our blessed Saviour, for he intimated the con∣trary Luke 12.51. saying, Suppose ye that I am come to give peace upon earth? I tell you, nay, but rather division, &c. Princes and States (as we know, and as very Learned men af∣firm) have a great power in ordering Ecclesi∣astical government, for Constantine the Great, when he stiled himself Episcopum extra Eccle∣siam, meant not by that word the office of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 among the Heathen, having no Ec∣clesiastical relation, but one who had a very high power, to order matters of that nature. And as to the Exercise of that power, it may minister some occasion of wonder, that any Prince should either enjoin or permit the Pres∣byterian government in his dominions (con∣sidering what hath been said), as it was in Scotland not many years past, and as it is now under some German Princes, but the marvail is not so great that it should be established in popular States. There are among us many other Sects well known, as Anabaptists, Brownists, &c. which opposing themselves

against all Government, cannot be well stiled pretenders to any particular; but to avoid that imputation rendring them odious, they may shelter themselves under another Sect which assumeth the name of a Government, and hath entrails capable to receive and shelter them all. It is the Sect of Independents, or Con∣gregationals, who are very strict in point of discipline, but it is within their own Con∣gregation, wherein they are said to unite them∣selves by a particular Covenant, differing ac∣cording to the sense of several Pastors. They deny a Church Universal, as a Body that can any ways produce activity, being impossible to be Congregated. And they will not ad∣mit of Appeal to any National-Church, or Council consisting of divers Nations, which gives their Pastors an authority little less than Papal. But the thing wherein this Sect most glorieth, is their moderation, in not pressing upon the Conscience of any per∣son without the limits of their Congregati∣on, which very much preventeth a taking offence by others. And thus much con∣cerning our Non-conformists, who seem to be but ill Directors.