Article 1.

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom and goodness, the maker and preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power and eternity, the Father, the Son and the holy Ghost.

Hold now, what think you of this Article?

Mighty well, sound and good, and no body surely but believe and approve it, both in part and in whole.

I am afraid not; how else come you (and many others) to discourse sometimes a­gainst, and deride what is contained in it? I don't mean the being of a God; for tho' some in their works (and with David's fool in their hearts) say there is no God; yet I know you dare not do it in words. But that which is next door by, they dare and do say.

What's that?

That there is no Providence.

Admit it, wherein doth that cross this Article, that hath not a word of Provi­dence in it? I don't see but a man may think so, and yet safely subscribe this Article.

Right, 'tis what I expected, and doubtless there are many of your judgment; but what if I prove a Divine Providence governing the world, and all that there is; and after that, prove too, that this first Article of our Church plainly asserts it?

Then I shall say, I never understood it.

A worthy satisfaction for your gross, wilful ignorance, and the great mischief you have thereby done to the Christian Religion, and the Church of God established amongst us. Tell me, what think you of those words of our Saviour, Not a Sparrow falls to the ground without your father, and the hairs of your head are all numbered? I think this bids fair to prove a Mat. 18.29, 30. protecting, preserving, disposing providence, and that not only as to the great changes and revolutions in Kingdoms and Nations, but even as to smaller matters, such as relate to you, and me, and every man; nay, to the very beasts and birds. And he that shall seri­ously consider the workings of God now in the world, and even in that spot of it which we inhabit; and think how the wise and profound Polititians of Rome are baffled in their enterprises, and detected in their hellish Plots and Counsels, even beyond their ex­pectation or belief, must either put out the eye of his Reason, or else he must needs see and adore a special hand of Providence acting for us to admiration—What prevented the further designed mischief from taking place, when London was put in flames, if pro­vidence [Page 6] did not? How came the late (as well as former) Popish Plot against King, the Kingdom, our Religion and Lives, to light, but by providence? In a word Tim, think, & then say, what was the safeguard of our present gracious Sovereign in many battles, when divers fell on his right hand and left, in sundry pursuits, and in foreign Countries, and what restored him to his Rights, Crowns and people without the least opposition, and with an universal consent, and unheard-of acclamations of joy, but wonderful pro­vidence? Certainly there was as great a Concatenation of providences in his preserva­tion and return, as in the fall and rise of Joseph (God give his Majesty an heart to re­member and improve it!) or in Job's, David's case, or any recorded in holy Writ. I can­not therefore disapprove the ingenuous return of a Scholar coming for Orders, and being asked by his Poser, how he proved a providence, answered (it being quickly after the Kings Restauration), redeunte Carolo. And certainly wanted we other instances that's sufficient and high enough alone.

This is something, but not enough

Enough surely to any but an Epicurean.

An Epicurean, what's that? Call me no hard names, if you do, you'll move my Choler.

I shall be sorry for that, but if I should, I'le endeavour to make you amends, by laying it again.

Tell me then, why do you call me Epicurean?

Because I take you to be one of Epicurus his Scholars.

Epicurus! who's he? Slid! this is in­sufferable, Epicurus, and Epicurean!—Farewel Sir, I'le have no more of this.

Patience man a little, and hear who this Epicurus was; He was a certain ancient Gentleman, Tutor to Mr. Hobbs, whom, I suppose you well knew.—

You have abated my heata little, by naming that person, worthy Mr. Hobbs, profound, non-such Mr. Hobbs.

I knew how to nick you; I know you are well acquainted with his works.

Huge well; I have read them all, and de­light to read them.

More than to read the old doting Fathers, the crabbed Schoolmen, or any modern Divine, not to say the Scriptures themselves?—

I think he that reads Hobbs, reads all that is to be read, can be read, or is worth the reading. But what is all this to Epicuran?

You mistake Tim, 'tis Epicu­rean; and the short is this, Mr. Hobbs denies a providence, he learned it of Epicurus; you deny a providence, being taught so of Mr. Hobbs; and so you are either an Epicurean or an Hobbist, which you please Tim; Though I stiled you after the first, as being the more ancient, and so I thought the more honourable.—

Well, if this be all you mean by Epicurean, I shall own it for Mr. Hobbs his sake, and am of his opinion, and shall be, notwithstanding what you have urged—

I am sorry for it; but if what I have inferred from the words of Christ prevail not, what think you of the opinion of a grave Divine and good Christian?

I don't know, who is it?

One that no doubt understood the Articles of our Church very well; hear what he saith, and you will judge who I mean—

Hold, here's enough, 'tis Herbert, but little to my conviction.

I was afraid so; but will you be determin'd by a whole Church?

Now you come close, could you but find a whole Church owning this.

I think 'tis no hard matter.

What Church, and where I pray?

The Church of England, and in this very Article you have now read, and that in these words, —There is but one living and true God,—Maker and Preserver of all things. Now how will you grant God to be the Preserver of all things to this very mo­ment, and not allow of Providence?—And to assure you this is her meaning, the pray­ers of our Church are answerable to her faith, v. Coll. for the 8th Sunday after Trin. Whose never failing Providence, &c.

Preserver! I profess 'tis so, Preserver and ne­ver failling Providence! Inever mindedit before. This has somewhat in it to your purpose more than I have noted.

Something in't! for shame Tim, knock under: what, subscribe such an Article as this, and to the use of such a prayer as this, and yet deny Providence? Must God preserve the world, and yet not be at the least concerned in any thing done in the world? O non-sense! stupidity! the very Heathens spoke more like Divines and Christians than you, and the rest of your Atheistical gang. Hear what one of them saith (and he none of the best neither), Seneca I mean, who calleth God, the Keeper and Governour of the whole world; a mind, a spirit, the Lord and Artificer (or Cre­ator of all the world), he to whom every name agreeth. Will you call him fate? You will not be out; for he it is on whom all things depend. Will you call him Providence? You wil [Page 7] say right; for by his counsel the world is provided, and taken care for, that it remains steady, Custodem, Re­ctorem (que) universi, animum & spiritum, mundani hujus operis Dominum & Artificem, cui nomen omne convenit. Vis illum fatum vocare? Non errabis. Hic est. ex quo suspensa sun­omnia, causa causarum. Vis illum Providentiam dicere? Recte dices. Est enim cujus consilio huic mundo provide­tur, ut in inconcussus eat, & actus suos explicet, Sen. Nat. Qu. l. 2. cap. 45. and performeth its operations—Thus he. And Du-plessis, Lord of Morney, in his Book of the truness of Christian Religion, chap. 13. sheweth, that Providence is abundantly own­ed by Plato, Plotinus, Hierocles, Aristotle, Cicero and others. And in short, none but some of the most sensual and brutish Epicureans, ever so much as called this in question.—

And suppose they do, What ill consequence can follow upon it?

Many and sad ones, tho' perhaps otherwise in your opinion; for first, you hereby deny God's Mercy, Wisdom and Goodness, in that you suppose him to take no care at all of, or re­gard to the numberless number of creatures that he hath made. Next, you abridge him of his Soveraignty, and take his Prerogative from him, which is this, To dispense good and evil as he pleaseth; Is there evil in the City and I have not done it, saith the Lord? Amo [...], Nay, you do in effect deny his being, and ungod him, to suppose him to sit like an old man, idle in Heaven, and unconcerned at what is done here below. Another sad consequence is, that all the signs in Heaven, Co [...]nets, Blazing-stars, all heavy and fore Judgments upon Kingdoms in general, as War, Plague, Fire, Famine, signifie no­thing; with all personal calamity and afflictions: And that all good as well as evil comes Pompin. by chance and fortune; that God hath no hand or providence in the dispensation of either, Consequently all ground and reason of Thankfulness or Humiliation towards God vanisheth, since he is not to be owned either in the good we receive, or the the evil that we suffer—What think you of these things?

These are sad indeed.

Yet true and natural Inferences from your Doctrine; and if you would speak out, you must own it: As a Divine of our Church once did, when being exhorted by a Person of Quality to give God thanks for his good Providence in raising him to such a Preferment, replied to this purpose, Providence! (saith he) thank my Money and my Friends, for without these I had gone without it, for all Providence. Are not these trusty Lads to their Subscriptions of our Articles!

Enough of this, Sir, I have done: Let us go on to the next.—

Artic. 2.
The Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father, the very and Eternal God, of one substanee with the Father, took mans nature in the Womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance; so that two whole and perfect Natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joyned together in one person never to be divided; whereof is one Christ, very God and very man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead and buried, to reconcile his Fa­ther to us, and to be a sacrifice not only for Original guilt, but also for actual sins of men.

This is another Article you and I have subscribed to, and profess to own, and have promised to maintain.

And good reason; for I see nothing in it but what is sound and Orthodox; and he deserves not the name of a Christian that says otherwise.

I am of your mind; yet I fear you have cracked some part of it in your elaborate discourses ex tempore. To try you, I will only crave your Opinion of one little branch of it; What think you of Original Sin?

I take it to be only a privation of Original Righteousness.

Now I know whereabouts you are; You are one of those subtil Gentlemen, who subscribe the Articles of the Church of England, and when you have done, preach the Doctrines of the Church of Rome, and Canons of the Council of Trent. This is very pretty [...] a Popish Priest may do as much. But we Council of Trent, Sess. Can. 6. will debate farther on this in its proper place, under Artic. 9. which speaks as plai [...] English in this point, as ever Article did.— Go on therefore to the next.

Artic. 3

As Christ died for us, and was buried: so also it is to be believed, that he went down into Hell.

Here is something in this Article will take up a little more of our time than ordi­nary, because it is a matter of weight, and what I know you and I much differ in?

What can that be? 'tis all mighty plain to me.

No doubt, since you never read it before; but when you have considered it as oft and throughly as I have done, perhaps you may hesitate as well as I, in what sense we are to take the latter part of it, viz. So also it is to be believed, that he went down into Hell, Pray what is your sense of it? and how do you teach people to understand it?

That Christ did personally and locally go down into Hell, that is, into the place or state of the damned, to suffer there; to conquer and overcome the Devils in their place of residency, and to free those Souls that were detained in Hell till Christ's descension thither.

I know some of the Ancients, and all the Papists are of this opinion; yet I confess 'tis not clear to me, nor do I find any rea­son to think our Church intends this sense in her Article. And if you will have patience with me, I shall give you my Reasons for it.

I will exercise what patience I can; but pray be brief.

As bri [...] as the weight of the matter will give me leave. To explain the Terms of the Article a little [He went, down, or descended]: To descend, is properly to go down by bodily motion from an higher place to a [Page 8] lower. But in a borrowed sense, or speech, it signifies a change of state, from better to worse, from great­er to meaner, as Isa. 47.1. Come down (or descend), and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon [into Heb]: The word here Englished Hell, in the Hebrew is Sheo [...], in Greek [...]: And this I find is taken four ways in Scripture, For the grave, or place of the dead, 1 King 2.6. For the power of death, or state of the dead, appointed to all men, good and bad, as Psal. 89.48. For extreme humiliation or abasement, or such sor­row and pains as may be compared to hellish sufferings, 1 Sam. 2.6. Psal. 18.5. and for the place and state of the damned, Luke 16. 23. [...] and when he was in Hell. Now in which of these senses do you take it?

In the last, as without doubt our Church intends it.

That is, not in any, or all the three first. viz. the grave, the power of death, or extreme abasement and hellish sufferings, but in the last, namely, that Christ descended into the place of the damned, suffered in the same flames wherein the rich man cries out he was tormented, and wherein the Devils themselves and damned Spirits have suffered, do and shall suffer for ever.

Yes, I believe so, and shall never believe otherwise.

Perhaps you may, when you have heard what I have to offer to the contrary, which now follows: 1. It is not clearly recorded (as all other parts of our Belief are) in Holy Scripture▪ that Christ did locally and per­sonally descend into the place and state of the damned: For the word [...] taken in this sense, occurs but once in all the New Testament▪ viz. Luk 16.23. which is not spoken of Jesus, but of Dives. Nor doth the word there signifie the place of the damned, from the force or propriety of it, but from the circum­stances which are there noted: For Dives is not simply said to be [...], in inferno, seu Gehenna, but in torments and flames. Moreover the Evangelists, who have profess [...]dly delivered to us the whole History of our Saviour, from his Incarnation to his Ascension, have not made the least mention of his descenti­on into Hell in this sense.

Surely you are mistaken.

Discover where; And I cannot conceive they would have omitted it, had Christ done it, or had it been necessary to salvation to believe it: Particularly. St. Luke writes nothing of it in his Gospel; in his Preface to which, he tells Th [...]o [...]bilus, That he would write to him in order of all those things whereof he had perfect understanding. Luk 1 3. And St. Paul, rehearsing certain chief Heads which he [...] to his Corinthians, mentions the Death, Burial and Resur­rect [...]on of Christ▪ but not [...]is lo [...] [...]scension to the state and place of the damned (which had been a fi [...] pl [...]e and opportunity to have inserted it); yet affirms, he had preached what would suffice to sal­vation, if they were not wanting to themselves, 1 Cor. 15. 1, to 5.

You begin to shake me, when I thought I had been invincibly setled, and unconquerable: you give me soft words, but hard Arguments; have you any more behind? for I think long till this combat is ended?

Yes, 2. I say further, that if Christ descended to the place or seat of the damned it was either in his soul, which the Scripture testifies went the day (or moment of his Death) into Paradise, Luke 23. 43. a place of Joy, not torment; and in the same Chapter he saith himself, He commended his soul into the hand of his father, in the same sense no doubt, that St. Ste­phen did after his example. Or else in his Body, which we are assured by the f [...]me Infallible Spirit, was in the grave till the third day, the day of his Resurrection, Mat. 12. 40. Or else in his Godhead; but to attribute descension to the Godhead is improper, which is in all places at one and the same time; nor is the Godhead subject to passion. How then did he descend?

Nay, I cannot par­ticularize them, but surely it was necessary he should do so.

Doubtless then it was done, for Christ omitted nothing necessary to be done or suffered, in order to the great redemption he was sent to accomplish, But as the Scripture doth not clearly affirm it, so to me it seems not of absolute neces­sity, in order to our redemption, that our surety should descend to the place of the damned, and suffer there.

What are your reasons for this opinion?

Because the place of suffering is but a circumstance. Hell, the place of the damned, is no part of the debt Christ was to pay; nor suffering there locally, any part of payment, that we read of in the Gospel. As the surety may satisfie the cre­ditor in any place appointed for payment, or in open Court; which being done, the debtor and surety are both acquitted, and need not go to Prison: If they be cast into Prison, 'tis because they do not pay the debt; for all that Justice requires, is the payment of the debt, to which the Prison is meerly extrinscecal. So the Justice of God cannot be satisfied for the transgression of his law, but by the death of the sinner. Now it doth not require, that this be done, or this satisfaction be made in Prison, or in the place of the damned; for the wicked go thither because they cannot pay the debt, or make satisfacti­on. But our surety, Jesus Christ, who undertook the debt for us, hath made such full satisfaction on the Cross, that himself said, just before he gave up the Ghost, Consummatum est, the work was finished. And the Apostles so understood Christ, which made them ascribe all to his suffering, or to the merit of his sufferings on the Cross, as spoiling of principalities and powers; by which is meant the power of dark­ness, the Devils, Col. 2.15. and the blotting out the hand-writing that was against us, Col. 2.14. our reconcilia­tion to God, Col. 1.20 and tell us, that he is able now to render us unblameable and unreproveable in the sight of God, Col 22. Having by that offering of himself, for ever perfected them that are sanctified, Heb. 10. 14. And if God is satisfied, Mans Redemption perfected, and Believers perfected by his Death, I can see no necessity of the following descension into Hell.

This is all very rational and convincing. But what makes you think that our Church doth not understand it of a local descension, and require the belief of it as necessary to Salvation?

Two things have raised in me such an opinion, viz. 1. Because she doth not here (nor any where else that I can find) give any such sense, or interpretation of the words; which were a very dangerous omission, if the belief of it were necessary to salvation.—And 2. Because in her 8th Article, where she mentions the 3. Creeds, which she affirms agreeable to Scripture, viz. the Apostles, the Athanasian and Nicene Creed (which she not only allows, but enjoyns the use of in her Liturgy or publick Service), hath in the last of these left the descention of Christ into Hell wholly out, which she certainly would not have omitted, but have inserted it here as well as in the Athanasian, had she thought the belief of it necessary to salvation, or designed to bind us to the belief of it; for this were to render that Creed imperfect, which she al­lows as perfect, and according to Scripture.

Really my Stomach begins to turn at a local descention; yet ere you can work a full Conversion, you must Answer an Objection or two, which I have swimming in my Noddle, against what you have said.

Out with them, Tim. and I'le do the best I can to cleanse thy Stomach and Head too; the latter being (I fear) as much oppressed with ill Notions, as the form [...]r is with ill Humours.

My first Objection is this, The Terrours and Torments which Christ Suff [...]red in his Soul upon the Cross, went before his Burial, but his descention into Hell follows i [...] [...]n [...]ur Cr [...]d and Arti­cle: therefore his descention in Hell concerns not these Torments.

Cunningly offered; this discovers thee either Knave or Fool in Logick, which you like best: for the Minor of this Syllogism is faulty; alledging, Non Causa pro Causa: or that for a Cause which is none. For know,

1. In the Creed, our Saviours Descention into Hell is put after his Burial, as an Illustration of what went before touching his Sufferings or Passion, least any thing should be detracted from it; and not that it was performed after it. As if it had been said, He not only suffered in Bo­dy and Dyed, and was laid in the Grave, but also suffered extream Fortures, Hellish Tormen [...]s in his Soul too, such as made him cry-out on the Cross, My God, my God, why hast thou fors [...]ken me?

2. And if you observe it, (Tim.) you will find all along in the Creed, a Procession in the Passi­on of our Lord, from a lesser to a greater Suffering: from the grief and pains of his Body, to those of his Soul. That he did suffer in his Soul greatly, himself Affirms, and we all believe. Now where in all the Creed can you find any thing that may express his Soul-sufferings, if not these Words, He descended into Hell? He suffered under Pontiu [...] Pilate, was Crucified, dead and buried, is all: which all might be, and he suffer in his body only: and this the Thieves suffered, which were Crucified with him. But his Descending into H [...]ll, implys somewhat more, viz. Suffe­ring in his Soul: which is all the Judicious and Learned Hamon saith on that Text, Thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell. And it is therefore put last, or mentioned after his Death and Bu­rial, Ham. Act. 2.27. to shew, that it was the greatest and sharpest part of Christs Sufferings.

3. Moreover, for the order of expressing it, I meet with the very same, Luke 16. 23. The rich man dyed and was buried, and when he was in Hell, &c. No doubt his Soul was in Hell before his Body was in the Grave; and yet his Burial is put first by our Saviour, and his Soul-sufferings afterwards, as being onely a higher and farther degree of Misery.—So in the Creed it is said, (or in the Article) Christ was Dead, Buried, and descended into Hell; or suffered in his Soul Hellish Torments, as the sense of Gods Wrath, the loss of Gods sight and presence for a time, due for our Sins:—Not that his Death was before his Sufferings in his Soul, but these are men­tioned last, as being the greatest, far greater than the Death of the Body: and the highest de­gree of Christs Passion and Humiliation. And to Conclude otherwise, as that Christ could not, or did not suffer in his Soul these Hellish Torments before his Death or Burial, because mentio­ned after both; is all one as if you should infer, that never any went to Hell before they were Buried; because it is said in that fore-mentioned Text, That the Rich man Died, was Buried, and when he was in Hell, &c. which were a gross Error, and contrary to Scripture. Nay, then it will follow, that the Soul cannot go to Hell, so long as the Body remains unburied: an inference so absurd, that a man of any Reason or Religion, will neither make nor own it.—What say you Tim. are we over this stile?

Pretty well, Thanks to you for the good lift you gave me; but there is another yet behind, as hard to clamber as the former, at which I doubt we shall both stick.

Never fear it, man, I'le heave with both hands, but I'le have you over, now we are come thus far: What is it?

Seeing these words [He Descended into Hell] are so dubious, and have caused such a Cor­troversie, why are they not wholly left out of our Articles and Creed?

I see you were more afraid than hurt; for your frightful Objection is dwindled into a little Question: this Bar is so low, you may almost go over without help, were you not so very weak. However, that I may not leave you behind, know first, that every thing that is a Controversie, is not an Heresie, either in matter of Doctrine or Faith, and therefore not presently to be Ex­p [...]nged out of our Creed. And since it hath been received by the Church in all Ages (since the Fourth Century, as Bellarm. tells us) and being rightly understood, contains in it a truth ac­cording to godliness, yea necessary to be believed unto Salvation, as the Sufferings of Christ in his Soul, and continuing in the state of the Dead for a time. I say, it being so antient, and (right­ly) understood so necessary, we may not leave it out; but retain it to the Edification of our Faith, and Consolation of our Souls.

S [...]condly, If because there hath been some difference or dispute about the meaning of this Phrase in our Creed or Articles, we should presently abandon it, by the same Rule we must expunge many Texts of Scripture out of our Bible: as, those that concern the Doctrine of Election and Reprobation, Free-will, Falling away from Grace, &c. Controveried by Learned men on both sides, and of different Perswasions. This is no Rule for putting out of the Articles of our Faith therefore, barely because Controversies have risen about the meaning and sense of it▪ But I have been too prolix already therefore let us dismiss this Point.

No, I am so well satisfied, that I must entreat you to give me the Sum of what you said, as brief as you can; for my Memory is very short: and I would fain retain somewhat, if Possible.

The short then is this, There are I say these two different senses of these words, He Descended into Hell. Some thereby understand literally a Local Descension into the Place or Which is the Opini­on of some of the An­tients, and all the Pa­pists. State of the Damned, to conquer the Devils, and so set free those Souls, that were kept in Hell, till Christs Descension. Others understand no more than a further degree of Humiliation, then his Death and Burial. Namely, the continuing under the Power of Death for a time: or of the Sufferings in his Soul on the Cross; whereon our Blessed Saviour was humbled us (que) ad Inferni tremenda tormenta, or endured for a time those Torments, Quae reprobi in aeternum sen­suri sunt, Which the wicked shall Eternally suffer in Hell. As the loss of the sense of Gods favour, the Malediction or Wrath of God in his Soul, which is Hell, or that Fire which shall ne­ver be quenched; In which, Christ himself for a time was scorched for our Sins. And there­fore This is the Opinion of some Fa­thers, and most of our Modern Reformed Divines may truly enough be said, To Descend into Hell. These, Brother Tim. are the two senses; which of these now do you apprehend the most agreeable to Scripture and the Analogy of Faith?

The latter clearly.

Then we have done with this, your satisfaction being all I aim at in this Discourse.

No, there is one little Question more comes into my mind, though I question whether you can Answer it.

It may be not: for you know the Proverb Tim. But let's hear it.

Why did not our Bishops, when by His Majesties Command at his first Return, they inspected the Common-Prayer, and Corrected some things in it, put some gloss upon these words in the Creed, that we might not have been in the Dark, as to their sense of them, which now we are?

It had been very easie for them to have done it, and why 'twas omitted, I can give no reason, unless it was either because we should not know their Opinion, or because (it may be) they were divided in their Opinions about it. Or else, that they would not assume the Honour of doing all that was needful to be done of this Nature, but leave som ethings to their Successors; among which, this may be one. And in the next Edition, or next Generation (God grant the Liturgy and Bishops to stand till then) you may expect it.

'Tis well Reply'd, I will inquire no further. Let us proceed.

Article IV.
Christ did truly rise again from Death, and took again his body, with Flesh, Bones, and all things appertaining to the perfection of Mans Nature, wherewith he Ascended into Heaven, and there sit­teth, until he return to Judge all men at the Last Day.

The principal intent, of this Article are the Resurrection, Ascension of our Saviour, with his Coming to Judgment; in either of which, I confess I cannot charge you, nor I hope any one else.

No, I am sure they cannot, the People to whom I have Preached now Two Sundays toge­ther, can bear me Witness I am sound here, for I have handled these main Doctrines amongst them; though I never knew they were part of the Articles of the Church before.

That's not material to you, whether you Preach according to the Articles you have sub­scribed or not. But by the way, I observe Tim. you have a Whisking Faculty at handling, to handle Three such Points in two half hours or thereabouts.

Nay, I was not longer, yet performed so well, that I had as many thankful scrapes, as Dr. O. himself for his long interwoven Discourse of late, at—

'Tis like you might have as many Tongues, but I doubt not so many Guineys, as he.

Guineys, what are they?

Now I see thou art ignorant of something besides the Articles: Guineys they are the great Procurers of Advousons, Presentations, and Ecclesiastical Preferments; their Principal Re­sidence is about the Court, and they sometimes help a Church-man at a dead lift, when Merits and Friends both fail.

I wish I could meet with one of these Courteous Gentlemen, I am sure none ever stood in more need of his Assistance.

One? no less than some hundreds, (according as the Place may be) Thousands will do you any kindness at all.

Nay, then I despair, for having lived Forty years and never met with one, 'tis more than probable I shall be dead before I procure a Thousand to stand my Friends.

It will do you more good to understand the Articles of the Church, and practise them; for that will make you happier in Forty years more, than all the Guineys in England can. There­fore push on to the next.

Article V.
The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one Substance, Majesty and Glory, with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.

Here! I hope you are sound too.

Yes truly, for the Athanasian Creed teacheth me thus much touching the Holy Ghost; which Creed I have often Repeated, and do most stedfastly believe.

I wish all that have subscribed this Article could say as much.—But let us have the Sixth.

Article VI.

Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to Salvation: so that what soever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an Article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to Salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture, we do understand those Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose autho­rity was never any doubt in the Church.

As to this I hope, you are perfectly Orthodox.

So perfectly, that I wish all but the Canonical Books of Scripture, had been left out of our Calendar; for since our Church here Affirms that these Contain all things necessary to Salvation, and consequently are sufficient, for Example of Life, and instruction of Manners, I think we might have made a pretty good shift with these (especially on Sundays) without Tobias, Bell and the Dragon, with the use of the Apocraphites.

And I Assure you, if our Calendar were to suffer a new impression, and I were the Corrector, I should not boggle much to gratifie you in this Opinion.

I thank you for your good will : but since it is not in my power, nor yours to amend it: we must be content, and make as much use of the former, and as little of the latter, as possibly we may.

Very good, I wish we agree in the next as well as we do in this.

Article VII.
The Old Testament is not Contrary to the New, for both in the Old and New Testament, ever­lasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and Man, being both God and Man. Wherefore they are not to be heard, which feign that the old Fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the Law given from God by Moses, as touching Ceremonies and Rites, do not bind Christian men, nor the civil Precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any Com­mon-Wealth: Yet notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the Com­mandments which are called Moral.

This Article hath a great Deal in it.

Where lies it, I don't perceive it?

No? Why it Requires of every Christian Man Obedience to all the Commands called Moral; now how do you Comport with it in your Practice?

I own it, Obedience is Due to all the Commands that are Moral?

Why is there any that is not Moral?

Yes, I think so.

Which is that?

The Fourth.

Why so.

Why the Article Termes it so.

I can't tell, I don't believe it.

Nor a great many besides you, who have subscribed this Article, yet deny the sence of it.

I must be plain, In troth I hold it no more moral than All Saints, or the Fifth of November. Why doth the Church require all her Mem­bers, when this Com­mand is read to say Lord have mercy up­on us and incline our hearts to keep this Law, &c.

I thought somewhat was the matter, you make so slight of it; that you can share one half of it Weekly to your own use and Service.

And I hope no Offence.

And as you give your People leave in the Afternoon, so many of them took leave for the Forenoon; and thus you share the whole betwixt you, leaving the rest to God Almighty,—Yet no Offence I hope.

If it be Morral, why is it not perpetuall without Alteration?

'Tis the shameful Prophanation of this Day, by you and such as have Sucked in your Prin­ciples, that hath Ushered in so much Irreligion amongst us, and helped to pull down such severe Judgments upon us. But hoping being better informed, you will become reformed, hear me a little, as to this point.

When you have said all you can, you can never prove it Morral and perpetual.

You have owned't is so, by your Subscription of this Article, and will you now question it?

Yes, I do, for I knew not there was any such Article amongst them, if I had known it I—

Nay never Repent you have done it, for you have no cause, if you understood as you ought.

Understand what?

T [...]ht the Morality of this Fourth Command lies not in observing, the Seventh day from the Creation: for the Fourth Commandment doth not require to use and sanctifie the Seventh Day from the Creation, nor from any other Period or Date of time, but only the Seventh Day af­ter Six of Labour, or coming between Six of Labour in a settled Course of Numbring from any Period that God should appoint, and so in the Meaning of that Commandment, we do now and ever must use the Seventh Day. For the Seventh is that part in order of Numbering, which still comes between Six, having Six before it and Six after it continually, and so our Sunday, our Day of rest hath, and therefore we also rest the Seventh Day.

I deny it, ours is the first, not the Seventh.

And the Seventh as much as the first; the first of our Week, and Seventh after Six of Labour. Indeed the Period from which we take the beginning of our Account is not the same, but another from the Jews; for they did Reckon from the beginning of the Creation and so for­ward, we from the Resurrection and so forward; but ours is as truely and surely the Seventh, as theirs, though Reckoned from another Period: and as for the Period whence the account must be made, we have no word at all in the Precept. For the Precept saith, not Six Days from the Cre­ation thou shalt labour, and the Seventh from the Creation is the Sabbath of the Lord; but, Six Days shalt thou labour; nor doth it say, The Lord bl [...]ss [...]d and Sanctified the Seventh Day from the Creation, but the Sabbath Day, that is, the Seventh after Six of labour.

And what do you understand by all this?

I understand, what I suppose the Article Enjoynes, by Requiring every Christian to yield obe­dience to the Commandments, and so to this Fourth among the rest viz. That you and I, and every Christian, is oblidg'd by vertue of this Command for ever, to rest every Seventh day after Six from all labour, Recreation, &c. and to Dedicate it in Solemn manner, wholly to the worship and Service of God, by preaching, Reading, Praying, and other Holy Religious Duties and Exercises both i [...] Publick and Private. Consider this a little, and give me your thoughts.

I need not much time to Study, I have (in the Company I have been Conversant with, some Clergy men as well as others) heard the Sabbath so Decryed, and the strickt Observation of it so slighted and vilified, that I thought there was little in it, more than another day. But for the future, I hope I shall be more diligent in preparing for it, and more strickt and serious in the Observation of it, than ever I have been.

You will do very well, and to endeavour to bring it into greater esteem and veneration with the people, wherever you come, for the life of all Religion amongst us, consists in a due keeping this day; and believe it our own practice in this regard, will prevail more than our Preaching, Inasmuch as Examples are of more force with men than Precepts. And 'tis our Obedience to Gods Commands, which must evidence the sincerity of our Faith, contained in the Creeds mentioned in the next Article.

Article VIII.
The three Creeds, Nice Creed, Athanasius Creed, and that which is commonly called the Apostles Creed, ought throughly to be received, and believed: for they may be proved by most certain war­rants of Holy Scripture.

Touching this, I think I need not question you: for though you never see them in the Articles before, yet you have often Read them in the Common-Prayer; and I suppose with hearty assent to the Articles of Christian Faith contained in them.

I do so.

Let us therefore hear the next, viz.

Article IX.
Original Sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk) but it is the fault and corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is ingendred of the off-spring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from Original Righteousness, and is of his own Nature in­clined to evil; so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the Spirit: and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth Gods wrath and damnation. And this infection of Nature doth remain, yea, in them that are regenerated, whereby the lust of the Flesh, called in Gre [...]k, [...], which some do expound the wisdom, some s [...]sual [...]ty, some the affection, some the desire of the flesh, is not subject to the Law [...]. And althou [...]h there is no condemnation for them that Believe and are Baptized, yet the Apostle doth confess, that con [...]upisence and lust hath [...] s [...]lf the natu [...]e of sin.

If I remember right, at Reading the second Article, you discovered your self a li [...]tle infirm and faulty, about Original sin, calling it only a privation of Original Righteousness, what think you now?

I think if I had Read this Article, I should never have Subscribed it, nor do I believe it now I have Subscribed it?

What nothing, no part of it?

Truely very little, a very small part of it.

Do you believe the Scriptures? if you do, I see no reason why we should not believe this sound Article of our Church, even every shred and Syllable of it. For,

1. It asserts that there is Original sin; which is called sin, Rom. 7. 8. The sining sin. Rom. 7. 13. The sin that dwelleth in us. Rom. 7, 20. The sin that so easily besets us, Heb. 11. 1. The body of sin. The body of Death. The Law in the Members. It is also called F [...]esh. The old Rom. 7. 23 24. Joh. 3.6. Rom. 7.5. Ro. 7. 25. King. 1.8. 38. Heb. 12. man. The Law of sin. The plague in ones own heart. And the root of bitterness. Besides the woful effects we find of it in our selves, proves it. As blindness in the mind, darkness in understanding, rebellion in the will, &c. with unholy and unclean affections, proneness to sinful, and aversness to Holy and Godly Actions.

2. Next this Article teacheth us, that this Original corruption remains in every man, even in the Regenerate: and this St. Paul acknowledgeth at large in Rom. 7. and Gal 5. 17. He saith the Flesh lusteth against, the Spirit, so that we cannot do the things we would. And St. James, Every Jam. 1. 14. man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lust. And the best of Gods Children bewail the remainder and indwelling of this Lust and Corruption: doubtless therefore our Church is right thus far.

3. And also in saying, [in every person born into the world deserves Hell and Damnation] for if it be sin, as hath been proved already, it can deserve no less, Rom. 1. 18. Colos. 3.5.6. Jam. 1.15. Ro. 6. 23. So that I can find nothing in this Article but may go down very well, if Arminius or Socinus hath not turned your Stomach against it.

It can never enter into my Head, that Adams sin, he being but one, should defile the Universal Nature.

I thought Socinus was in your Belly before, now he looks out at your mouth. Adam 1 Cor. 15. 47. Ro. 5. 12. 17. had in him the whole Nature of mankind, and by his one offence the whole Nature was defiled.

Adams sin was not voluntary in us, we never gave gave consent to it.

There is a twofold will, Voluntas Naturae, the whole Nature of man was repre­sented in Adam, therefore the will of Nature was sufficient to convey the sin Nature, Vo­luntas Personae, and by every actual sin, we justifie Adams breach of Covenant, and that Text Rom. 5. 12, 19. seems clear for the imputation of Adams sin. All were in Adam, and Peccatum Adami ita posterii imputa­tur, ac si omnes i­dem pecca­tum pa­tranissent [...]. Bellarm. Again. Peccatum Originale, tametsi ab Adamo est non tamen Adami, sed nostrum est. Tom. 4. l. 4. c. 3. & 8. sinned (in him) [...], and so our last Translation in the Margin. Though it be rendered [for that all have sinned] yet must it be understood [in him, or sinned in Adam] else it is not true, that all upon whom death hath passed have sinned, as namely Infants newly born. There­fore 'tis not said all are sinners, but all have sinned, which imports an imputation of Adams act unto his Posterity. So that without question you and I are as guilty of this sin, as if we had been present and joyned with Adam in it. And the offering of another Adam to thee and me in the Church, shews that the dispensation of God is not rigorous, for we may share in his obedience, as well as in the others disobedience. It is as agreeable to the Wisdom and Justice of God by the sin of the First Adam to entail death upon all his Children, as to the Wisdom and Grace of God by the Obedience and Righteousness of the Second Adam, to confer Life upon his Children. Have I said any thing towards your Conviction?

Yes, a great deal, but to little purpose, for I don't understand this putative sin, and putative Righteousness of the First and Second Adam.

Take heed [Tim.] of making a mock of these serious matters: I could tell where you learned that word [putative] for a need. But as merry as you and your Companions make your selves with it, know that if imputative Righteousness don't justifie you, you are in a worse condition than the Scribes and Pharisees, whose Righteousness Legal, I am afraid exceeded yours, and yet insufficient to carry them to Heaven, Matth. 5. 20. And St. Paul, who was as to the Law blameless, doth yet desire not to be found in his own Righteousness, but that which is by Faith through Christ Jesus, the Righteousness (putative as you in derision term it) which is in God by Faith, Phil. 3. 9. But of this in a more proper place. I only demand this of you [Tim.] that though you plaid the fool in subscribing this Article before you Read it; yet that you would not play the Knave in disowning it, now you have Subscribed it, making a mock of it: for you must needs understand it, if you understand English, for never any thing said more plainly that there is Original sin in all, remaining in the best of men, and that Adams sin is so far ours, as we deserve Hell and Damnation for it. And assure your self, unless (after this war­ning) I hear you are Reformed as to this matter, I shall acquaint the Bishop what a Sub­scriber and maintainer you are of the Articles of our Church, who I doubt not will call you to an account. For I stedfastly believe his Lordship holds it a less sin to be defective in the Cere­monies, than in the Articles: and will sooner Suspend for the latter, than the former. But I hope you will give me no cause—especially when you have Read the next.

Article X.
The condition of man after the fall of Adam, is such, That he eannot turn and prepare him­self by his own natural strength and good works, to faith and calling upon God: Wherefore w [...] have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the Grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us when we have that good will.

The following Article Concords so well with this, that 'tis pitty to part them; if you will, therefore, Read that too, before we proceed farther.

I shall.

Article XI.
We are accounted Righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works, or deservings. Wherefore that we are Justified by Faith only, is a most wholsome Doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Ho­mily of Justification.

As to these two Articles, I need not ask your Opinion, for I know you to be as rotten in these, as an Egg nine days sat on. Free Will and the necessity and efficacy of Works to Justifie without putative Righteousness, is so much your tone in the Pulpit, that the very Bells in the Steeple have learned the Tune. And when you are approaching the Church, the least jar out of it puts you into such an Arminian chafe, that the Bells are presently forsooth Calvinistical Bells, the Ringers Calvinistical Rogues, wishing the Ropes in their hands fast about their Necks. An admirable Devotion at your first entrance into Gods House!

And there are more of this Opinion besides my self.

What Opinion? That the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Chapters to the Romans, were foisted into that Epistle by Calvin, or at least he had an hand in Composing our Articles?

No neither, but for Free Will, and Justification without putative Righteousness; that Christ came chiefly to be an Example to us, and not to Justifie us by the imputation of his Righteousness, this is the Opinion I know many are of besides me.

Aye, too many: but for you and I, and those men you mean, who have consented and Subscribed to these Articles, to talk at this rate, I must tell you, is a fault not to be born with; whatever others say, that are free, we that are obliged by Promises and Subscriptions, should be honest and true to them.

Honest and True? Yes so I ought, but I have learned better since my Subscription; and I hope you will give a man leave to improve his Reason and Understanding?

Yes by all means, but suppose you were called to Subscribe these very Articles word for word again, now your Reason is so mightily improved, what would you do?

A needless question, for that's not likely.

Why not? Put case the Patron of a Good (that is a great) Living, of about two hundred or three hundred pounds per annum, should out of his Generosity freely offer you the Presentation to it: would you refuse his kindness, rather than Subscratch for it?

I am afraid I should scarce withstand the force of so taking a temptation.

And you would Read them openly in the Parish Church, the people being present, and openly declare your approbation of them, and full consent to them (as the Law requires) ra­ther than lose such a Benefice?

I believe I should, I wish some body would try me.

And Preach and Prate against them, or contrary to them, when you had done, ha!

Not directly.

Directly or indirectly, directly you would be a Knave for your pains; not to say worse.

You would not have me talk contrary to what I believe, would you?

What is that?

I believe every man hath a power and freedom of Will to good Works as well as Evil.

What Naturally, and in an unregenerate Estate?

Yes.

This is contrary to the Tenth Article, as Aye and No, directly Opposite to Scripture, Which saith, the Carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God; nor in­deed can be: so then, they that are in the Flesh cannot please God. The Natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, be­cause they are Spiritualy discerned. No man can say, Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves, but our sufficiency is of God: And without me ye can do nothing, saith our Saviour. Repugnant is your belief also to many Prayers of our Church. As the Collect for the Second Sunday in Lent. The Fifth Sunday after Easter. The Ninth Sunday after Trinity. The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity. The Nineteenth, The Collect on All-Saints Day, and many more. Now what a rare Believer are you, to believe contrary to the Word of God, the Articles you have Subscribed, and the Prayers you con­stantly Rom. 8. 7. 8. 1 Cor. 2.14. 1 Cor. 12.3. 2 Cor. 3. 5. John 15.5. make use of, and are obliged to put up to God on those several days, in the prescribed Words and no other. But what's the next part of your Belief in this matter?

That as I have a Power and freedom of will to Good Works, so I must do them, in order to my being Justified before God.

This is as Corrupt and Erroneous as the Former, and as opposite to the next Article, read it.

Article XII.
Albeit, that Good Works, which are the fruits of Faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our Sins, and endure the severity ef Gods Judgment, yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith, insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be as evidently known, as a tree discerned by the Fruit.

Here you are Taught, That Good Works are pleasing and acceptable to God; but so far are they from justifying without Faith, that they are the fruits of Faith, and follow after Justification. Plainly implying, That we must have true Faith, and be justified, before we can do any Works, good, pleasing or acceptable to God. So that I believe (according to our Church) that Faith in Christ justifies the Person, and Good Works the Faith: Or thus, I take it, that God justifies Judicially, Christ Jesus Meritoriously, Faith Instrumentally, and Good Works Decla­ratively.

So then, you will make Good Works of little worth; and it matters not whether a man hath them or not.

No such matter, I believe they are absolutely necessary to Salvation; that no man can go to Heaven without them; for they are (as this Twelfth Article tells you) the genuine and necessa­ry fruits of a true and lively Faith; and that there can be no such Faith without them. And St. James saith as much in the Second Chapter of his Epistle at large. I believe that Text of Holy Writ, which tells me, Without Holiness no man shall see the Lord, with an equal Faith, that Heb. 12.14 Heb. 11.6. I do that which saith, Without Faith 'tis impossible to please God. That is, that both are necessa­ry to make a good Christian, and there is no other, I am sure, shall ever enter into Heaven. And to close this Discourse, I believe, he that Teaches such Doctrine as this, stands further off from Rome, comes nearer to the Analogy of Faith, the Tenour of the Holy Gospel, and the sound Articles of our Church, then those Men who Teach or Preach otherwise: and I hope by this time you think so too.

I am inclinable to such thoughts.

And the more you think on't, the more inclinable you will still be, if you do not wilfully shut your Eyes against the Light of Gods Word, and of the following Articles, grounded up­on it.

Article XIII.
Works done before the grace of Christ, and the Inspiration of his Spirit, are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of Faith in Jesu Christ, neither do they make men meet to receive Grace, or (as the School Authors say) deserve Grace of congruity: yea, rather for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of Sin.

What think you of this added to all the rest?

It still helps to Confirm what you have said, and to convince me of my Errour, without any farther Comment.

Proceed then to the next, viz.

Article XIV.
Voluntary works besides, over and above Gods Commandments, which they call Works of Superero­gation, cannot be taught without Arrogancy and Impiety. For by them Men do declare, that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake, then of boun­den duty is required: Where as Christ saith plainly, When ye have done all that are Commanded to you, say, We are unprofitable Servants.

I have such Charity for thee (Tim.) as not to think thee so far Popefied, as to oppose this Article.

You may, for surely we who neither do, nor can do all that God Commands, have lit­tle ground to boast of doing more.

Honestly said, Tim. I hope to find thee right as to the next too.

Article XV.

Christ in the truth of our Nature, was made like unto us in all things (Sin only except) from which he was clearly void, both in his flesh, and in Spirit. He came to be a Lamb without spot, who by sacrifice of himself once made, should take away the Sins of the World: and sin (as St. John saith) was not in him. But all we the rest (although Baptized, and born again in Christ) yet offend in ma­ny things, and if we say we have no Sin, we deceive our selves, and the Truth is not in us.

I know nothing contained in this Article, that you do Oppose or Cavil at: and there­fore think the best, never loving to make quarrels, when there is not just and apparent Cause for it. Therefore let us view the following one.

Article XVI.
Not every deadly Sin willingly committed after Baptism, is Sin against the Holy Ghost, and un­pardonable. Wherefore the grant of Repentance is not to be denyed to such as fall into Sin after Baptism. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into Sin, and by the grace of God (we may) arise again, and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be Condemned, which say, they can no more Sin as long as they live here, to deny the place of for­giveness to such as truly Repent.

What think you of this?

Sound and good.

'Tis so, if understood aright: but by a Sermon you lately Preached at St. B's. Church; I presume, you mistake one Clause of it vilely, either willfully or ignorantly.

Which is that?

'Tis in these Words, after we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from Grace given, and fall into Sin.

Mistake the sense of the Article in this, 'tis not easie, nay, 'tis almost impossible to miss it.

Why, what is the sense, say you?

That Believers, or such as have received the Spirit of God, and his saving Graces, may fall away.

What totally and finally, and perish Everlastingly?

Yes, totally and finally, and be Damned.

I judged I should find you as sound in this Point, as that Sheep, that shaking her self in a frosty Morning, falls in pieces. That this Article (or our Church in it) doth not intend a total and final Apostacy, is apparent to me, by these Two things.

1. Because she saith not, That such as have received the Holy Ghost, &c. may fall away; but that they may fall into Sin, as David, Peter and others, who Sinned or fell into great and gross Sins after Grace given, yet no final Apostates.

2. Because she saith in this Article, That the grant of Repentance is not to be denyed to such; as it is to be granted, They which thus Sin, after the Reception of the Holy Ghost, and Grace given, may Repent; And by the Grace of God may rise again, and amend their Lives, as the fore­mentioned Saints and Servants of God, David, and St. Peter did: which no final, total Apostate ever did, or can do. Therefore, it cannot be meant of a final Apostacy, or falling away from Grace. [Page 17] And therefore if you have taught any such Doctrine, you have Preached down this Arti­cle, and many plain Texts of Scripture to boot, as They should deceive (if it were possible) the very Elect. Whom he loveth, he loveth to the end. The gifts and calling of God are without Repentance. Kept by the power of God through Faith, unto Salvation. He that be­lieveth in him shall not be confounded. Whom he did predestinate, them he also called, whom 1 Pet. 2. 6. Rom. 8. 30. he called, them he also justified, whom he justified, them he also glorified. And many more gracious and infallible promises, assuring us of the stability, and perseverance of true Be­lievers, of such as have received the Holy Ghost, and Graces thereof.

Nay, now we are in indeed, if we are come to Election and Predestination.

Yea, and good and proper mediums too, to prove no final apostacy, or falling away from grace; for grant the one, and the other follows. Election and Predestination are inconsistent with a total and final defection. But I hope [Tim] these are not frightfull terms to you, you have heard of them before?

Yes, but don't well understand them, Election and Predestination! 'tis nonsense.

Such sense as you have subscribed to, and consequently should believe, and main­tain against all Arminians and other Opposers.

I can't imagin any Article of our Church asserts any such thing, so contrary to all reason, as nothing can be more.

Yes, this is such an unreasonable Article, and by good luck the very next in course, and so full mouth'd for Election and Predestination, that you'ld think some body spoke it through Calvin's Mouth, or at least that: that wretched, stiff Predestinarian gui­ded the hand of him that writ it.—Look there, 'tis [Tim.] nay, ne'er start at it: but out with it, like a man of metal.

Article 17.

Predestination to life is the Everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the Foundations of the World were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his Counsel, secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of Mankind; and to bring them by Christ to Everlasting Salvation, as Vessels made to Honour: wherefore they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God, be called according to Gods purpose by his Spirit, working in due season; they through Grace obey the calling, they be justified freely, they be made Sons of God by Adoption, they be made like the Image of his only begotten Son Je­sus Christ, they walk Religiously in good works: and at length by Gods mercy, they attain to Everlasting Felicity.

As the Godly consideration of Predestination, and our Election in Christ is full of sweet, pleasant and unspeakable comfort to Godly Persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ. mortifying the works of the Flesh, and their Earthly Members, and drawing up their mind to high and Heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their Faith of Eternal Salvation, to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God: So, for curious and carnal persons, lacking the Spirit of Christ, to have continually before their eyes the sentence of Gods predestination, is a most dan­gerous downfall, whereby the Devil doth thrust them either into desperation, or into wretchles­ness of most unclean living, no less perillous than desperation.

Furthermore, we must receive Gods promises in such wise as they be generally set forth to us in Holy Scripture: and in our doings, that will of God is to be followed, which we have ex­presly declared unto us in the word of God.

Bless me, what's the reason of this sudden paleness in your countenance? you look as though you were fainting away.

Not so Sir, but I am stricken with a strange horror and astonishment, to think how our Pulpits ring of Doctrines directly contrary to this Article; for though I was so care­less as never to read the Articles till now, yet I concluded these great Dons had, and ne­ver questioning their honesty, I was confirmed in it, by their constant preaching, no such Article could possibly be: but now I see they are out as much as I, I pity them with all my heart.

Pity thy self man.

I do so, but them more, because I declare it, mine was a sin of Ignorance, I am afraid theirs is otherwise: and because, being leading men, they have drawn me and ma­ny more into this error, by their authority.

I am more than half of your opinion. For our Church (as fore-seeing how pr [...]e men would be to dance after Arminius his Pipe) hath taken more pains in framing this Arti­cle than ordinary, on purpose to prevent them; and 'tis so full, so plain and punctual, [Page 18] that (one would think) no mistake can arise, but what is willfull.

Full and punctual? there is all that ever can be thought on against Universal Re­demption, Free Will, Falling away from Grace, and the use of those points, which are most what their subjects, especially on popular occasions.

Take the contents of the Article, and you will be confirmed in your opinion—which are these,

• 1. There is a predestination of Men unto Everlasting Life.
• 2. Predestination hath been from Everlasting.
• 3. Not all men, but certain, are Predestinated to be saved.
• 4. They which are Predestinate unto Salvation, cannot perish.
• 5. In Christ Jesus, of the meer will and purpose of God some are Elected, and not others to Salvation.
• 6. They who are Elected unto Salvation, if they come unto years of discretion, are called both, outwardly by the word, and inwardly by the Spirit of God.
• 7. The Predestinate are both justified by Faith, sanctified by the Holy Ghost, and shall be glorified in the life to come.
• 8. The consideration of Predestination is to the Godly most comfortable, but to curious and carnal persons very dangerous.
• 9. The general promises of God, set forth in Holy Scripture, are to be embraced of us.
• 10. In our actions the word of God, which is his revealed will, must be our direction. These are the several Doctrines laid down and asserted in this Article.—Would you have any more?

No, here is enough, and as much as all, that ever wrote for Predestination and Election, can say: and had our Church enlarged this Article to the bulk of the Common Prayer, she could not have spoke more to the purpose, than she hath in this one Page. I wonder the Reverend Fathers of the Church will suffer her Sons to wrong her, as they do dayly, openly making her speak through their Mouths, and often through the louder mouth of the press, those Tenets, which she never held, nay, which in the very body of her Articles, she so plainly disowns and contradicts.—

I rejoyce at your Conviction: Now these being fundamental points, it may not be amiss, (I think) nor time ill spent, to see a little (for your fuller satisfaction and confir­mation) what ground and footing each point in this Article hath in holy writ; the perfect Rule and Touchstone of all matters of Faith, and manners.

No sure, no loss of time, but time well improved; and if you will take so much pains, I shall thankfully partake of it.

For the vindication of our Church, reprehension of those men who have subscribed to her, and yet oppose her, and for thy establishment (Tim.) I will do it. To begin with the first then.

1. There is a Predestination of men unto life Everlasting. To sit on my Right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but shall be given to them, for whom it is prepared of my Father. For many are called but few chosen. But for the Elects sake those dayes shall be Math. 20. 23. Math. 22. 14. Math. 24. 23. Joh. 6. 37. shortned. All that the Father hath given me shall come unto me. To this truth also doe the Evangelists St. Luke and St. Paul give witness: the former saith that of the Gentiles at Antioch, so many as were Ordained unto Eternal life believed: and the other saith, whom he foreknew he also did Predestinate. And Paul blesseth God for this, saying, Blessed Act. 13.48. Rom. 8. 29. be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, &c. hath chosen us in him, before the foun­dation of the world; having Predestinated us unto the adoption of Children by Jesus Christ unto himself. Are not these Texts to the purpose? Eph. 1.3, 4, 5.

As clear as can be.

Besides the Example of the Elected Creatures, Men and Angels; of the two brethren Abel and Cain; Isaac and Ishmael; Jacob and Esau; of the two servants of King Pharaoh; of the two Kingdoms of Juda and Israel; the two peoples Jews and Gentiles: the two A­postles Peter and Judas; the two thieves upon the Cross; the two men in the fields; the women at the Mill, are a great illustration to this truth.—The next is,

2. Predestination hath been from Everlasting, or before all times; Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, come ye blessed of my father: inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: which the Apostle understands to be Math. 25. 34. from Everlasting, saying God hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world. Again, God hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not accord­ing to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Eph. 1. 4. [Page 19] Jesus, before the world began.—And as good footing on the same word hath the following point, viz.

3. Not all men, but certain, are predestinated to be saved. Rejoyce that your names are Luk. 10.20. Joh. 10.14 written in heaven, saith our Saviour, and I know mine, and am known of mine. I suffer all things for the Elects sake. And our Church (in her order for burial of the dead) prayes 2 Tim. 2. 10 for the accomplishment of the number of Gods Elect. And again in the same Office, come yea blessed, receive the Kingdom prepared for you. And in the form of Baptism, we pray that the infant (to be baptized) may remain in the number of thine Elect Children, &c. not all men, but a certain number are Elected or Predestinated to life.

4. They which are Predestinated unto Salvation cannot perish. All that the Father hath Joh. 5.37. given me, shall come unto me, and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand, who is greater than all. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. Moreover, whom he Predesti­nated, Joh. 10. 28, 29. Math. 15.18. Rom. 8 30. Rom. 11.29. them he also glorified. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. They went out from us, because they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.—So the next point (which these men so much stick at) is as cleerly taught in Gods word, as any of the former,—namely

5. That of the meer will and purpose of God, some men in Christ Jesus are Elected, and [...]ot others, unto salvation. Rom. 9.11. That the purpose of God according to Election might stand. Eph. 1.5. Having Predstinated us according to the good pleasure of his will. 2 Tim. 1.9. Not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace. Exod. 33.19. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, &c. Eph. 1.4, 5. He hath chosen us in Christ, and Predestinated us through Christ. 1 Pet. 1. 18, 19, 20. Ye Rom. 9. 15. are not redeemed with corruptible things, &c. but by the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb, &c. who verily was foreordained, before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. Who hath Predestinated us to the praise of the glory Eph. 1.5, 6. of his grace. The Lord hath made all things for himself, yea even the wicked for the Prov. 16.4. day of wrath. Hath not the Potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one Rom. 9.21. vessel unto honour, another unto dishonour?—was ever any thing more fully and plainly said in holy writ, than this part of our Article?

I think not, or can be.

These portions of Scripture (to which more might be added were it needfull) doe not barely assert a Predestination of some, and not of others, but assign also all the causes of such Predestination,—as

• 1. The Cause efficient, to be the everlasting purpose of God.
• 2. The Cause formal, Gods infinite goodness, mercy and free grace.
• 3. The Cause material, the blood of Christ.
• 4. The Cause final or end, (why both God the Father hath loved, and Christ for his Elect hath suffered) is, the glory of God and the salvation of men: so that I cannot see how any man, who is at enmity with this Article, can hold any good friendship with these Texts of Scripture: or with those that arise to prove the next point, which is this,

6. They, who are Elected unto salvation, if they come unto years of discretion, are cal­led both outwardly by the word, and inwardly by the spirit of God. These things are most evident and clear in the Scriptures, where is set down, both the calling of the Predestinate, their obedience to the word being called, their adoption by the Spirit to be the chidren of God, and their holiness of life and conversation,—whom he did Predestinate, them he also Rom. 8.30. Gal. 1.15. 1 Thess. 2.12. 2 Tim. 1. 9. Eph. 1. 13. called. God separated me from my mothers womb, Called me by his grace. Walk wor­thy of God, who hath Called you to his Kingdom and glory. He hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, according to his own purpose and grace, &c. In whom also ye trusted, after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Ye have re­ceived the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba father, the same spirit bearing wit­ness Rom. 8.15, 16. with your spirits, that we are the children of God. And for their being chosen and cal­led to holiness of life and good works, the Apostle plainly enough asserts, saying we are his Eph. 2. 10. workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath ordained that we should walk in them. And the Grace of God hath appeared, &c. teaching us that deny­ing Tit. 2. 11. 12. ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and Godly in this present world.—yea saith the next Proposition.

7. The Predestinate are both justified by faith, sanctified by the Spirit, and shall be glo­rified in the life to come. All these blessed effects of Predestination, doth the Scripture fully assert, for know (saith the Apostle) a man is not justified by the works of the Law, [Page 20] but by the faith of Jesus Christ. Moreover whom he predestinated, &c. them he also glorified. If children then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. And as we Gal. 2. 16. have born the image of the earthly, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly. Now are not all these consequents of Predestination, viz. Justification, Sanctification, and Glo­rification Rom. 8. 30. v. 17. 1 Cor. 15. 49. fully enough expressed in these Texts?

Very fully, in my opinion.

Therefore very well doth our Church say, in the next part of this Article, That

8. The consideration of Prodestination, is to the godly most comfortable; but to curious and carnal persons very dangerous. To the former, the Meditation of it must needs be exceeding sweet, pleasant and comfortable, because it greatly confirms their faith in Christ, and en­creases their love towards God. I account the sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory, that shall be revealed in us. If God be for us, who Rom. 8. 18. v. 31, 32, 33, 34. can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, how shall he not, with him, freely give us all things. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect, it is God that justifi­eth, who is he that condemneth? ye are sealed with the holy spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. And again, grieve not the holy Spirit whereby ye are sealed unto the Eph. 1. 13, 14. day of Redemption. Here is a deep and large Well of Consolation to the godly; yet not affording the lest drop to carnal and wicked men. Eph. 4. 30.

But doth not this Doctrine lead towards Desperation?

by no means; for no man, either from the word of God, or this Article of ou [...] Church, can gather, that he is a vessel of wrath fitted for destruction; but contrariwise, by many and great arguments may perswade himself, that God wills not his destruction, as by the next proposition plainly appears, viz.

9. That the general promises of God, set forth in holy Scripture, are to be embraced of us, such are, Come unto me all ye that travel and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Math. 11. 38. 39. Joh. 3. 16. 17. 1 Tim. 2. 4. God gave his onely beloved Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, &c. Who will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. These and many more such general Promise [...] of grace and favour to mankind are heartily to be em­braced of us, as encouragements to faith, repentance and an holy life. So that whoever embraceth these promises, (and as our Church in the close of this Article saith.)

10. Will in his actions be directed by the revealed will of God, hath no ground to de­spaire, or to exclude himself out of the number of Gods Predestinate or chosen ones. Thus you see the drift of this Article, comprehending most fully and clearly, that great doctrine of Predestination, with all its coherent doctrines, which is so much cryed down in our day; and (which is the wonder and shame of all) by some sons of our Church, who have subscribed it.

I must confess I have been one of those, led by the example of the greater ones, rather than by the depth of my own knowledge. But surely these men have something to say for themselves; is not our Church single in this point.

Admit she were, yet there are two weighty reasons, why they should not desert or oppose her in this : First, Because she hath the Scripture on her side; And Secondly, Because they have listed themselves her faithfull votaries, by subscription.

That is true, these are plaguy strong tyes.

But withall I say, she is not single in this point, for the Churches in Helvetia, Ba­sil and France believe and hold the same, as their publick confessions bear witness, yea, all the reformed Church.

Who then are the enemies to it?

The Arminians, Socinians, Antinomians and Papists; amongst these last, the Je­suits are the acutest and most malitious opposers of it.

This is more than I understood before.

It must needs, since you never inquired into it before, no, not so much as to con­sult the Article, which of it self had been sufficient to have regulated you, both in your private opinion and publick Doctrine, whereby you have often brought your self under the lash of that severe reprehension of St. Jude, to those, who foam out their own sh [...], Jude 10 13. speaking evil of those things, they know not.

I am convinced it had been as well, to have let these high points alone.

As well? and much better: had you spent your time, and exercised your Ta­lent [Tim] upon the 10 Commandments; Preached down Atheism, Idolatry, Drunk­enness, [Page 21] Whoredom, Swearing, and such immoralities; and in Preaching up Faith, Re­pentance, Sobriety, Righteousness and Godliness, you would have done God better ser­vice, and had more thanks from your Reverend Diocesan, than for your yelping against Predestination, Election, stability in grace, &c. without measure or reason, and (as you acknowledge your self) without understanding.—'Tis a miserable reproach to our Church, to see Buzards soaring at that, which is above the Eagles flight.

I shall be more carefull for the time to come; and lay out more hours dayly in Reading than ever I have done.—

'Tis well resolved, and to that forget not to add daily and serious praying; and it may not be amiss to insert into your private devotions, those requests of our Church. —Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee O Lord, and forgive us all our sins, negligences and ignorances—But 'tis time we dismiss this, and look to the next Article.—

Article 18. Of obtaining eternal Salvation only by the Name of Christ.

They also are to be had accursed, that presume to say, that every man shall be saved by the Law or Sect which he professeth, o that he be diligent to frame his life according to that Law, and the light of nature. For Holy Scripture doth set out unto us only the name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved.

What is your judgment, touching this Article?

My judgment is, that our Church is too scanty in her charity to damn the greatest part of the world; even many Heathens, who have lived admirable good, strict and mo­ral lives, according to the Religion, and light they had : and for ought I can see, the Pa­triarchs to boot, and all that lived before Christ.—

Not a word on't Tim: For all that our Church saith in this Article is, That the Profession of every Religion cannot save a man, live he never so virtuously: and that no man ever was or shall be saved, but only by the name, or Faith of Jesus Christ; This doth not con­demn the Patriarchs or those before Christ, who believed in him to come, and whose Faith was every way as beneficial to them, as ours believing in him now he is come, and the Apostle recounting many of these, Heb. 11. saith these all dyed in the Faith.

But then what shall become of the poor Heathens?

Our Church determines not, but wisely saith, whosoever among them (or any other sort of Mankind) are saved, are saved by the name or Faith of Jesus Christ; and no other. And gives you her reason, because the holy Scripture doth set it out so to us; saying, through his (Jesus Christs) name, whosoever believeth in him, shall recieve remission of sins: neither is there Salvation in any other, for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, Act. 10. 43. Act. 4. 12. whereby we must be saved. So that the charity of our Church in this point, is every whit as large as the Scriptures will allow. And this is the Faith and Confession of the Reform­ed Churches; Confess. Helv. 2. ar. 10. 11. and 2. Co. 11. 13. Ba [...]il. [...]r. 4. Bohem. C. 4. 10. Gall. ar. 13. 16, 17: Belg. ar. 17. 20, 21. and therefore whether your charity [Tim] or your ignorance be the greater, I will not say; but this I say, to subscribe to such a number of unintelligible Arti­cles, unsight and unseen, was no Mathematical demonstration of a wonderfull wisdom in you.

But it was a sign of the greater Faith.

Yes, a Popish or implicit Faith, by virtue of which (if the Imposers honesty had not been of a better stamp than your Faith) you might have under-written to the Alcoran or Mass-book, as well as the Articles.—

No, hold there.

Why what should have hindered; nay, how do you know you did not; since you never lookt what it was?

But who could divine, but I would?

That's somewhat indeed, for I believe they don't often meet with such blind Be­lievers: which may make them (as you say) somewhat the more wary. But if the worst had come to the worst, you could have come off tut â conscientiâ.

How so?

As you do with the Articles, which you (believe) have subscribed.

How is that?

Deny them all, or many (at least) of the most considerable of them.

What won't go down, must come up, and there is an end on't.

Then I hope the next will down glibb, for I know nothing in it, that is the least choaky—Try,

Article 19. Of the Church.

The visible Church of Christ is a Congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministred, according to Christs ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.

[Page 22] As the Church of Hierusalem, Alexandria and Antioch have erred: So also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and manner of Ceremonies, but also in matters of Faith.

Well, are not my words true, there is nothing sticking here?

Yes, something that sticks with me a little; and doth not go so smoothly off, as I expected.

What should that be; you believe such a thing as a visible Church of Christ, don't you?

Yes, but not this description of it?

Wherein is it faulty?

The fault is this, that our Churches charity (in my mind) is as much too great in this, as it is too lit­tle in the former Article.

How so, prithee?

Because by this description of a true visible Church, she allowes some of the Fanatick Congregations to be true Churches, or at least true members of the visible Church of Christ: for in some of these Con­gregations, the Word (they say) is purely preached, and the Sacraments be duly administred, according to Christs Ordinance, in all those things, that of necessity are requisite to the same

And if it be so, why should they not be reckoned among those parts, that help to make up the whole.

What without the Common Prayer and Ceremonies? these true Churches, or true Members of the visible Church of Christ? God deliver me from such Churches.

Why the Article doth not tell you, these are necessary to the constitution of a Church, but only the Preaching of the pure Word, and right Administration of the Sacraments.

Well, they are none of our Church, I am sure.

True, no more are the Reformed Churches beyond the Seas, yet parts and members of the visible Church of Christ, and our Church is no more.—But I find (Tim.) you have a greater kindness for Socrates, Plato, and other Heathen, than for these Dissenters, for you could be content, even now, the former might be saved, but for the Salvation of these latter—

What have I to do with their Salvation?

Not much I confess; only 'tis an old maxim with Divines, that Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus: So that if you totally exclude them out of the true Church of Christ, you do (as much as in you lyes) to barr them out of Heaven: for which they have reason to give you little thanks.—

I value not their thanks.

However let them have your Prayers, that since they are no Christians as yet, they may be such in time: especially on Good Friday, when you pray for all Turks, Jews, Infidels and Hereticks, think on them, will you?

Then or not at all, for I know no other part of our Liturgy will comprehend them.—

Yes, If I mistake not, there is one place more, wherein they may be remembred, without much danger of defiling our Prayers with the thoughts of them.

Where is that? I cannot call it to mind.

That's much, when you read it some 3 times a week; 'tis that in the Litany —That it may please thee to have Mercy upon all men. So that if you do but allow them to be men (not beasts) you may venture to let them have a snip in that sentence,—

You have named all, I am sure now, wherein they can have any share.

Suppose when you read the Confession —We have left undone those things, which we ought to have done: and we have done those things, which we ought not to have done; We should understand it of the Phanaticks as well as of our selves, would there be any harm in it?

None in the world, for doubtless 'tis true of them to a Tittle. And if there were any more such in­stances, I should begin to think, our Prayers were composed chiefly for them:—But surely there is no more?

Many more.

Where?

In the Litany, as that —From all Pride, vain Glory and Hypocrisie; from envy, batred, malice and all uncharitableness.

Nothing ever more pertinent.

Except that, —From all Sedition, privy Conspiracy and Rebellion, from all false Doctrine, Heresie and Schisme.

Better and better,

And that it may please thee to bring into the way of Truth, all such as have erred, and are decieved; That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors and slanderers, and to turn their hearts.

Incomparable I profess; I shall never read these Prayers hence forward, but I shall think of the men: they are so apt, so exceeding apt, that it will add to my devotion ever after,—Where were my Brains that I never noticed this before. As I hope to live, I believe, scarce a Bishop that knew for whose sake, those Prayers were inserted, till now.

Now then I hope, you will let these poor Gibeonites share both in your Confessions and Petitions, as oft as you may, without turning your Zeal to God, into passion against them, in Prayer: and I have so much Cha­rity, as to think they will do much for you : and with that sincerity and love, as becomes fellow members of the visible Church of Christ, for such I take them to be; nor doth our Church in this Article exclude them; which made it stick long so long by the way, but by this time I hope 'tis pretty well down; if not, I am sure the next will drive it down.

I'le try.

Article 20. Of the Authority of the Church.

The Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies, and Authority in Controversies of Faith: And yet it is not lawfull for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to Go [...]s Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore although the Church be a witness and a keeper of holy writ, yet as it ought not to decree any thing against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of salvation.

I need not ask whether you ever read this before, because I know you did not; but how do you like [...], now you have read it?

Not at all in troth, unless by Church they mean that at Westminster: nor can it be true (as to us) in any other sense, for 'tis that Great Assembly or General Councel that decrees, and appoints all our Rites and Ceremonies, and we have no other than what they approve and establish, witness the Act before the Common Prayer.

But you believe the Church hath a power to decree Rites, which is all the Article asserts in that point.—

Decree, Ay she may decree and decree till her heart akes, but if she have not the Votes of the House, she shall never have the thanks of the House for her pains; and without their Votes and Thanks, I know what her decrees will come to.

To what?

To scorn and disdain; with them that make those decrees, 'slid man, if all the Reverend Bishops of the Land should sit together in Council, and decree a Ceremony no bigger than the dash over an Ad­verb, which is scarce half a cross, it would signifie no more, than if you and I should do it.

How, you and I, we have no power at all.

En'e as much as their Lordships in this case, was not the P—but the other day, decreeing out of the Church those Rites and Ceremonies (or a good part of them) that we have; and bad it had the Roy­al stamp; the Bishops might have thrown their Caps after them.

And is it not fit that they which make other Laws, should by Law establish the Government in the Church?

Therefore I would have this Article amended, and named thus, the P. (that is King, Lords and Commons Assembled, &c.) have power, &c. Leaving out the Word Church, else I will never subscribe it;

That's done already.

I care not, but I won't own it.

But can you withdraw your hand singly from this, and yet subscribe and own the rest?

Yes, very well.

That's a cunning trick indeed; 'tis next to a mental reservation.—By virtue of which, a man may subscribe any thing, all things, and yet in truth subscribe nothing. So that I have all this while been un­der a mistake, for I thought you had subscribed all the Articles, and it seems you have not, but a little here and there only, as it should please you, when you come to read them.

And as much too, I think, as reason can expect.

Mighty pretty truly; read the next, and (having had your subscription before hand) let us now have your intention, when you have perused it.

Article 21. Of the Authority of General Councels:

General Councels may not be gathered together without the Commandment and Will of Princes. And when they be gathered together (forasmuch as they be an Assembly of men whereof all be not governed by the Spirit and Word of God) they may err, and sometimes have erred, even in things pertaining unto God. Wherefore things ordained by them as necessary to salvation, have neither strength nor Authority, unless it may be declared that they be taken out of holy Scripture.

Now, what did you think of this, at the time of subscription?

How could I think any thing of what I never saw, read nor heard? but now I think 'tis sound and good, and I own and assent to it: though it is like (in our time) there may be no occasion to make use of it.

Then we'll dismiss it to our Successors, and come to the next.

Article 22. Of Purgatory.

The Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory, Pardons, Worshipping and Adoration, as well of Images, as of Reliques, and also Invocation of Saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God.

Here I hope your heart shall follow your hand.

Ay Sir, and more hearts if I had them, for all this I stedfastly believe: though I am afraid, this Faith is going out of fashion.

I hope not; as long as the Defendor of it lives, there is no fear; and if Prayers will add to his days, he is like to live as long as any that ever sat on his Throne, and therefore I hope our Fears will dye, before he dyes.

Pray God they may, and be buried too, never to rise more in our Generation, or in the Generati­ons after us.

Amen, Amen.—And I am joyful to find you so hearty a Protestant, I wish they be all such, that wear our Livery.—But what's the next Article?

Article 23. Of ministring in the Congregation.

It is not lawful for any man to take upon him the Office of Publick preaching, or ministring the Sacraments in the Congregation, before he be lawfully called and sent to execute the same. And those we ought to judge lawfully called and sent, which be chosen and called to this work by men who have publick authority given unto them in the Congregation, to call and send Ministers into the Lords Vineyard.

I suppose we need not stay long here neither.

No, for I know none but Quakers, Lay-elders, and such holders forth, as the Apostle describes,—That creep into Houses, and lead captive silly women, &c. but can digest this Article well enough, I am sure there is never an Orthodox Divine (nay, scarce a right Presbyterian) but will subscribe to it.

Presbyterian, yes, for Ordination by laying on of hands is a Doctrine they stiffly maintain, both in their Sermons and Writings: yea, and many of them have admitted of Episcopal Ordination, rather than run before they were sent.

I know they have, but for all the rest of the Dissenters, they had as lieve Old Ketch should goll them as a Bishop.

Why then are the Presbyterians decryed as the great bane and pest in Church and State, when (at least in respect to others) they are men of some orders.—

O Sir, because they are the leading faction.

Leading do you call them, I am sure they lead the smallest number, of any Dissenters this day in the Nation,—yet unhappy men that they are; all that do any ways oppose or undermine the Government either in Church or State, are cryed down, under that (new frightfull and abominable) title, Presbyterians, for my part (though I know they are not in infallible yet) I cannot but pity them.—

But I can't, what pity a crew of Knaves and Villains?

Take heed [Tim.], for they come nearest the Church of England of any other Dissenters, and upon a small abatement, could joyn with her, which the rest of the Dissenters would not; and are they the worse Knaves and Villains for this?

Yes, much the worse—but pray say no more of them, for I abhor the very name, and cannot hear it repeated with Patience.—

I would not provoke you too much; but I would gladly hear your reasons.

That I can't do without thinking of them, (at least) and the very thoughts of them put me into such a [...] heat, as utterly confounds my reason.

We use to say, break my head and shew me a reason : but it seems they must be content to be called Knaves, Villains, and what not, without reason.

Yes, for this once they must and shall; and that for this reason, because I can't stay now to give my reasons.

Are they so very long then?

Yes, much longer I see, than the next Article, which I am just going to read.

Well [Tim.] I perceive 'tis an hard matter to force reason from you.—proceed as you will.

Article 24. Of speaking in the Congregation, in such a Tongue as the people understandeth.

It is a thing plainly repugnant to the VVord of God, and the custom of the Primitive Church, to have publick Prayer in the Church, or to minister the Sacraments in a Tongue not understood of the People.

There is nothing you can dislike in this?

No, 'tis very Orthodox, and according to the Apostles direction. 1 Cor. 14. 6. to 19.

So, I percieve you have some Scripture at command.

Yes, but this Text I cannot but remember: For at one of the conferences appointed by the right Reverend Father in God, the B. of L. where the subject was against Praying, &c. in an unknown tongue; the Dr. that Preached in our division, cited this place so often, that I shall never forget it.—

You gives good account how you came to have it so ready at hand—proceed to the next.

Article 25. Of the Sacraments.

Sacraments ordained of Christ, be not only badges or tokens of Christian mens profession: but rather they be certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of grace, and Gods good will towards us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not onely quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our faith in him.

There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.

Those five commonly called Sacraments, that is to say, Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matri­mony, and Extreme Ʋnction, are not to be accounted for Sacraments of the Gospel, being such as have grown, partly of the corrupt following of the Apostles, partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures; but yet have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptism and the Lords Sup­per, for that they have not any visible Sign or Ceremony ordained of God.

The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about, but that we should duly use them. And in such onely as worthily receive the same, they have a wholsom effect or operation; but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves damnation, as St. Paul saith.

You may read on, for I know not but you'r sound in this, and I shall not charge you, but where I know you are guilty.

Artic. 26. Of the unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinder not the effects of the Sacraments.

Although in the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and some­time the evil have chief authority in the ministration of the VVord and Sacraments; yet foras­much as they do not the same in their own name, but in Christs, and do minister by his Commis­sion and Authority, we may use their Ministry, both in hearing the VVord of God, and in the receiving of the Sacraments. Neither is the effect of Christs Ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the grace of Gods gifts diminished from such as by faith, and rightly do receive the Saeraments ministred unto them, which be effectual, because of Christs institution and pro­mise, although they be ministred by evil men.

Nevertheless, it appertaineth to the Discipline of the Church, that enquiry be made of evil Ministers, and they be accused by those that have knowledge of their offences; and finally being found guilty, by just judgement be deposed.

your opinion of this [Tim?]

I have a very good opinion of it, as of any I have yet read.

But if I mistake not, there is that in the close of it, toucheth your copy-hold.

What is that.

'Tis this —nevertheless it appertaineth to the Discipline of the Church, that enquiry be made of evil Minist­ers. and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their offneces; and finally, being found guilty, by j [...]st judgment be deposed. Can you heartily consent to this?

Yes, why not?

Here is no body present but our selves, therefore I will be plain with you, and tell you the ground of my Question : Were you not long since presented and accused to your Diocesan by the Church-wardens of the Parish where you offi­ciate?

Yes, there was a Puritanical, Fanatical Church-warden did present me, like a splenetick Knave as he was.

But pray what was your Crime?

A small matter, onely sitting up too late, and playing the Good-fellow a little too much one Saturday night, being to administer the Sacrament the next morning; and the Rascal told his Lordship 'twas a thing frequent with me so to do.

And what did the Bishop say to you?

He gave me a grave Admonition, and told me, if that wrought not upon me, Suspension should follow.

He spake like himself; yet if he had done it, as well as said it, it might have been better; for I don't hear that his Fatherly Admonition hath wrought in you the least reformation. What you did before, I am credibly inform'd you do still: nay, that you mend as fowr Ale in Summer, insomuch that the far greater part of the Parish are so scandalized at you, that they resolve never to receive the Sacrament at your hands more.

'Tis a sign they are a company of nice, squeemish Ideots, and know no­thing; else they would understand that neither my Vices nor my Vertues signifie any thing to them in my Preaching the Word, or Administring the Sacrament.

Then whether you are holy or wicked, sober or disorderly in your Life, it must he the same thing to the People?

Yes, must, and is in this Case; for doth not this Article say, That he that ministers doth the same not in his own name, but in Christs, and by his Commission and Authority—And that the effect of Christs Ordinance is not taken away by his (viz. the Ministers) wickedness, nor the Grace of Gods Gifts diminished from such as by faith do rightly receive the Sacraments ministred unto them.

True, these are the Words of the Article, and they contain a great Truth: Should a faithless wicked man receive the Sacrament at the hands of the holiest man living, the Holiness of him that administers would nothing avail such an unworthy Receiver : so the contrary. But our Church never intended this as an encouragement to Profaneness in her Ministers, as she plainly declares by the close of the Article; and you make a very ill use of it, who shall take such liberty from it.—Besides (Tim.) give me leave to tell you, that though the ill living of some Ministers, and their slight and irreverent Administration of the Holy Sacra­ment, cannot obstruct the Grace of God towards a worthy Receiver; yet this is a shrewd bar to keep off sober and serious Persons from that Ordinance, especi­ally in those Places where they must receive from the hands of such Ministers, or not receive it at all. For what Person that hath any sense of God and Religion, and the weight of that sacred Ordinance upon his mind, (though he strives what he can to conquer all prejudices of this kind) can receive the Elements at the hands of a profligate and irreverent Minister, with that satisfaction that he can at the hands of one who by his heavenly Life, and exemplary Devotion in the Sa­crament, shall excite and quicken the Zeal and Devotion of all that are to par­take with him? No, let me discharge my Conscience this once. I heartily wish and pray, that those Reverend Fathers who have the Discipline of the Church, would narrowly inspect the Lives and Manners of such Persons in the Church as you are, who by your disorderly Conversations, and slight, irreverent, and slo­venly Administration of Holy Ordinances, (I must tell you without flattery) are a dishonour to God, a scandal to the Gospel, a reproach to the Ministry, the causers of Division and Faction, the Promoters of Atheism and Prosaneness, and the bane of all true Godliness and Religion. 'Tis you, and such as you, that open the mouths of our Enemies, that turn the glory of our Church into shame, and trample her honour in the dust. 'Tis you, and such as you, that make many sick and dying sinners go out of the world without Ghostly Counsel and [Page 26] Absolution; the notoriousness of your Crimes raising in them a disgust against you, both living and dying; and who (if any of them miscarry) must answer for those Souls?

I shall not, if they send not for me.

But who shall answer for the cause of your not being called at such a time?

What, you would have Ministers live like Angels?

Ministers are called Angels in Scripture; and what if I should say they ought to live like Angels, for Purity and Holiness? I am sure our Saviour pro­pounds to us an higher Pattern, when he saith to his Disciples, Matth. 5. last. Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.

But that is impossible.

True, as to Equality, but not as to Imitation. St. Paul was not equal with our blessed Lord for Purity and Holiness; but he was an imitator of him, as himself testifies, saying, Be ye followers of me, as I am of Christ. Nor is it impossible for you to consider seriously the weight and dignity of your Ca [...]ling, and to take heed thereto, as you are exhorted by the Bishop, at your Ordination; Vid. The Form of Ordering of Priests. which if you do (as you ought, and there promised to do) you shall be an able and faithful Minister of the Church of Christ. The exhortation runs in these Words.

I confess this is very serious and weighty, and do acknowledge I never perused or pondered it before.

Add to this that daily Prayer at the end of the Confession, And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly righteous and sober life, to the glory of thy name. Is not the Minister concerned in this, as well as the People, when he saith, and grant that we may, &c?

Yes, without d [...]ubt: and by Gods help hereafter my Practice shall be more conformable to my Prayers.

Pray God it may, for evil Ministers ('tis the phrase us [...]d in this Article) are most odious to God and injurious to his Church, of all others. One such impious Wretch, by his ungodly life, gives such a wound to Religion and the Cause of God, as many of his Brethren (though exemplary both in [...]ife and Do­ctrine) are not able to heal Besides, I tr [...]mble to think of th [...] Reward of such a Minister in another world; and what he will be able to plead for himself to the great Bishop of Souls, the Lord Jesus, at his general and final Visitation, Rev. 22. 12. I beseech you therefore (Tim.) remember the weight and excellency of your Calling, and the solemn Promises (in the face of the Congregation) made to God then, when you were admitted to it. Not forgetting your Obligation by Baptism, which is the subject of the following Article you are next to read.

I give you my hearty thanks, and hope these things will make an im­pression upon me for good.

I shall rejoice to see it—Go on.

ART. 27.

Baptism is not only a sign of Profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not Christened: but it is also a sign of Regeneration or New Birth, whereby, as by an Instru­ment, they that receive Baptism rightly, are grafted into the Church: the Promises of the Forgiveness of Sin, and of our Adoption to be the Sons of God, by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed: Faith is confirmed, and Grace increased by vertue of Prayer unto God. The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the Institution of Christ.

You see here what high and noble priviledges are signified and sealed to us by our Baptism, Regeneration, Adoption, and Remission. To which our Church (explaining this Article in her Catechism) adds Inheritors of the Kingdom of Hea­ven. What Obligations to an holy Life can there be greater or stronger than these?

None, surely.

Add hereto the Covenant on our part, to renounce the Devil and all his Works: to believe the Articles of the Christian Faith, and obediently to keep Gods Holy Will and Commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of our Lives. Which Covenant, unless we perform and keep, we have no right to, or benefit by the aforesaid Priviledges. Nay, our Baptism will prove but an ag­gravation of our Condemnation in the day of Judgment; and an unbaptized Hea­then would not change estates at that day with such a baptized Christian. More­over, we who are made Ministers, do most solemnly devote and dedicate our selves to God, to holy services and gaining of souls, as the Deputies of Christ, in the day that we enter into holy Orders. And if none of all these bonds will hold us, cer­tainly we are the worst of men, and deserve the highest Censures the Church can inflict upon us. And our Church will never be glorious, till all such Apo­states he either throughly reformed, or totally ejected out of her.

I hope I do forsake all the Works of the Devil.

Except Drunkenness and Swearing.

Truly 'tis very seldom : In a passion perhaps an Oath may slip; and when I meet with good Company I am loath to part, and apt to be merry; but 'tis rare: And bating these, I think I have no fellowship with the Works of darkness.

But there is another Vice (I know not whether you will allow it a Work of the Devil or not) you are almost incurably infected with, for 'tis Chronical.

What's that?

That which I think in a Minister as bad as either of the former.

I can't imagine what you mean.

I mean Sloth, horrible Sloth and Idleness: spending little or no time in fitting and improving your self for the difficult and weighty Duties of your Office. And this Vice exposeth you to the rest, and all other whatever. Be­sides, this makes you so profoundly ignorant, that you are not able in any to­lerable manner to defend our Religion against Papists and Sectaries; and your weak defence of the Truth confirms them in their Errour, and makes them cast off all thoughts of reconciliation to our Church. Doubtless therefore Idle­ness (in a Minister) is a great sin, a woful shame, and the Mother of many sins. And till I see you reform this, I shall have small hopes of you, as to the rest—But this is all I shall hint to you from this Article, which puts you in mind of your Priviledges and Obligations by your Baptism. Now proceed.

ART. 28.

The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the Love that Chri­stians ought to have among themselves one to another; but rather it is a Sacrament of our Redemption by Christs Death: Insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with Faith receive the same, the Bread which we break, is a partaking of the Body of Christ: and likewise the Cup of bles­sing, is a partaking of the Blood of Christ.

Transubstantiation (or the change of the Substance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ: but it is re­pugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sa­crament, and hath given occasion to many Superstitions.

The Body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper only after an heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper, is Faith.

[Page 29] The Sacrament of the Lords Supper was not by Christs Ordinance reser­ved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.

You may read the two following, for they both relate to this.

ART. 29.

The wicked, and such as be void of a lively Faith, although they do carnally and visibly press with their Teeth (as S. Augustin saith) the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ: yet in no wise are they Parta­kers of Christ, but rather to their condemnation do eat and drink the Sign or Sacrament of so great a thing.

ART. 30.
The Cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the Lay-people: For both the parts of the Lords Sacrament, by Christs Ordinance and Commandment, ought to be ministred to all Christian men alike.

What is your sentiment of these three Coherent Articles, and what do you observe from them?

I think they contain very sound Doctrine; and I observe our Church throws out Transubstantiation and Half Communion.

Nothing else?

No: What Observations do you make from them?

Such as, I think, reprehend both your Practice and Doctrine.

Pray what are they?

First, this Twenty ninth Article (which with the rest you have subscribed [...]x animo to be agreeable to the Word of God) declares, That wicked persons, void Vid. Canon 3 [...] ▪ of lively Faith, receiving the Sacrament, in no wise partake of Christ, but rather to their own condemnation. And doth not your Conscience tell you, you have been oft such a Receiver?

I bless God, not in the least.

I am sorry for it: For whoever continues in any known sinful Courses, (open or secret) is a wicked Person. Now to omit secret Impieties, not observa­ble by Man (yet are not by any Coverts to be hid from the notice of God) your Swearing, and Drunkenness, and Idleness are publick sinful Courses; and conti­nuing in these (as you do hitherto) I cannot learn by this Article how you can be a worthy Communicant at this Sacred Ordinance: nay, I wonder you do not tremble to think of that of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 11. He that eats and drinks unwor­thily, eats and drinks [...] judgment to himself.

But before I come to the Sacrament I repent of these miscarriages.

What, Repentance without Reformation? This is new Divinity. Re­pent of Sin, and not forsake Sin? The Scriptures teach us other manner of Re­pentance than this: Repent and turn, Ezek. 18. and, Let the wicked forsake his way, Esa. 55. And our Liturgy will tell you, in her Confession, That true Re­pentance consists in sorrowing for Sin forsaking Sin, and living soberly, righte­ously and godly for the time to come. Besides, had you this lively Faith in Christ, which our Church saith is necessary to make us worthy Receivers, I must tell you, it would purifie your heart, and reform your life, 1 John 3. 3. He that hath this hope, &c. Believe it therefore, that Faith and Repentance that consists with the allowed and daily practice of such foul irregularities in the Life, will never ren­der you a worthy Receiver at Christs Table on Earth, or procure you admittance into his Kingdom in Heaven. Often read this Article, and take this Reprehensi­on and Warning by it in good part; which you must needs do, if God give you an heart to reflect seriously upon your Life and Practice.—Then,

2. Another thing the reading of these Articles brings to mind, and I would be satisfied in, is this:—Did not you once instigate your Church warden to [Page 30] present a great part of the Youth of your Parish, for not coming to the Sacra­ment at Easter?

I did so; and 'tis agreeable to the Canon, which requires all Men and Wo­men V. Canon 112. of the Age of Sixteen years to receive, and to be presented if they neglect it.

These are the Words of the Canon, I know; and I know not well how to reconcile the practice of it to the Doctrine of the Church in this 28 Article. For, must you and I, and all the Ministers in England, take it for an unquestiona­ble truth, That all in our several Parishes at Sixteen years of age have a lively Faith in Christ, the means whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in the Sup­per? I am afraid, in this corrupt and prophane Age, scarce One in Sixteen (not to say a greater number) at those years have this true and lively Faith.

Well, suppose the worst, that they have not, what then?

Then our Church saith, they cannot be worthy Receivers; nay, without this Faith, they rather eat to their condemnation: And is it not exceeding dan­gerous then for us, by presenting them, to fright them to do that, for the doing of which (without the breach of Charity) we may doubt and fear, not one in many of them are prepar'd or qualified?

Not at all : if they have not Faith, the Sacrament may work Faith; therefore they may be compelled.

This is what I looked for, it being agreeable to your Doctrine, that the Sacrament is a Converting Ordinance.

Right, I am of that opinion; and are not you?

I don't know, unless you tell me in what sense you mean; whether per institutionem, or per accidens? If you say it may be so by accident, as a Clap of Thunder, a Fit of Sickness, a great Cross or Loss, have by Gods sanctifying Grace been made means of mens Conversion and Reformation, none will deny it: For, as God can work without Means, so by any means, as pleaseth him. But if you say 'tis so by Institution, or that the Sacrament was instituted by Christ for this end; I must tell you 'tis a very disputable Point.

My Judgment is for the latter.

You and I (Tim.) are not Men of such Authority, that our particular Persuasion should be much valued; yet I have a few things come suddenly to mind, that seem to carry somewhat of weight in them, to turn the Scale against you.

1. I do not remember where 'tis said in the Gospel, that this Ordinance is a Converting Ordinance; or that it was instituted by Christ for this end; as is fre­quently said of the Word or Gospel preached.

2. Nor do I remember when or where the Apostles admitted any to this Sacra­ment, before they were by the Preaching of the Word brought to believe in Christ. 'Tis said of S. Peter's Hearers, Acts 2. That they continued instant (with the Apostles) in Prayer, and Breaking of Bread, &c. but it was after their Con­version, not before. Now if the Apostles had received it from. Christ, (for St. Paul saith, What they received they delivered, 1 Cor:) That the Sacrament was appointed by Christ as a Converting Ordinance, it had been as proper for them to have received the unbelieving Jews and Greeks to the Sacrament with them, as to the hearing of the Gospel preached by them : but, I say, I am not advised that they did so, therefore doubtless they had not received any such Doctrine from Christ : nay, if they had, they were greatly unfaithful, that they did not obey it themselves, and also leave it upon record in their Writings plain­ly, as a Rule, and for the satisfaction of the Church of Christ for ever.

3. The Instances of Persons converted by this Ordinance (compared with those converted by the Preaching of the Word) are so exceeding rare and few, as seem to bespeak it not instituted for that end. Scarce one in an Age to be found that can say, he was converted first at the Sacrament, that this was the first means of enlightning his Eyes, of convincing him of Sin, of Righteousness, and of Judgment; of bringing him off from his former vain Conversation, to new­ness of Heart and Life. Can you give one Instance in all your time? Did any one ever acknowledge or declare thus much to you?

No, in truth; but doubtless others can.

But, I say, I believe very few; for which I know no Reason can be given, if it were by Institution an Ordinance of Conversion.—But,

4. In the last place, Our Church seems in her Articles (which you have subscri­bed) to countenance what I urge, rather than your Opinion : for, she saith, a lively Faith in Christ is a necessary means of a worthy Reception, and without it we rather eat our own Condemnation. Now to be brought to a lively or true Faith in Christ, I take this to be Conversion; and this, she saith, is necessary to those who come to this Ordinance: which plainly implies, they must come Con­verts thither, or else they cannot be worthy Guests at that Feast—More­over, he that shall read the Direction of our Church to her Ministers, in the Rubrick before the Administration of the Sacrament, touching malicious, dis­orderly, and uncharitable Persons, and seriously contemplates her most strict, severe, holy, pathetical, and Christian-like Exhortations to such as purpose to be Communicants, will discern, and must acknowledge, she seems to favour but very little this Doctrine. And, to speak the truth, I see no reason but that those who are of that Opinion may open the door to the Altar as wide as they do those to the Church; there being no Warrant in the Gospel to hinder any (how wicked soever) from the ordinary (nay instituted) means of their Conversion.

Well, admit the sense of the Church be as you would have it, that the Sacrament was not instituted for a Converting Ordinance; what would you be at now?

At what I was before, viz. That you do not do marvellous well to sub­scribe the Articles ex animo to be according to the Word of God, and then preach contrary to them. And, secondly, That this being granted, that the Sacra­ment was not instituted as a Converting Ordinance (to work Faith, but rather to confirm it) I cannot commend you for compelling all promiscuously to receive it, only because they are Sixteen years old, before you have any assurance or hope of their being converted, or brought to a lively Faith in Christ Jesus; which the Article tells you is a very necessary Qualification in all Communicants, and that without it they hazard the eating to their own Condemnation.

I shall not proceed so strictly according to that Canon for the future; for I see few of my Brethren do.

No, if all the Ministers in the Church of England were inspired with your zealous Spirit in this respect, the Presentments at the Ecclesiastical Courts might for numbers vie with the late Petitioners to His Majesty, and we will give you all the Addressers too into the bargain.

I believe you may; for doubtless they are a vast number.

Consider but some Parishes in and about the City of London, in which there are so many thousand at that age and upwards, that to take a personal and particular account of them, and draw up his Presentment, would be work enough for the Minister from one Easter to another.

I think he would not have much time for his Study or Ministerial Of­fices.

And I think he would have but little thanks for his pains, either from his Parishioners or Diocesan; for such Proceedings would gender Confusion. And I think Visiting the Sick, Catechising the Youth, and Informing the Ignorant, would be a better improving of Time, and a greater Service to our Church, than drawing up and making such Presentments. And when we must be doing, let us present the Debauched and Prophane, the Scandalous and notorious Of­fenders against the Moral Law of God, rather than the ignorant Offenders against that Law of Man.

Well, now you talk of improving Time, pray let us improve ours, and proceed; we have been long enough here already.

I would not weary, not over-long detain you; for I know you sit upon Thorns: therefore go on.

ART. 31.

The Offering of Christ once made, is that perfect Redemption, Propitia­tion, and Satisfaction for all the Sins of the whole World, both Original and Actual, and there is none other Satisfaction for Sin, but that alone. Wherefore the Sacrifices of Masses, in the which it was commonly said, that the Priest did offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have Remission of Pain or Guilt, were blasphemous Fables and dangerous Deceits.

This Article destroys the very bulk and life of all the Romish Religion, namely, the Sacrifice of the Mass. 'Tis this that promotes the Adoring of the Creature, Purgatory, and Prayer for the Dead, and all those Papal Stratagems whereby his Holinesses Coffers are cramm'd, and the Pomp and Grandeur of his whole Body Ecclesiastick is supported and maintained. Take away this, and their Religion dwindles into nothing; the Priests and Jesuits might cobble Shoes Vid. Saul and Samuel, p. 22. in reality to get Bread, as they sometimes have done here and elsewhere to cover their intended Villanies: yea, the Pope himself would become as poor as his (pretended) Predecessor St. Peter. Well, this gainful and admired Device doth our Church rightly explode, as a blasphemous Fable, and dangerous Deceit.

And doubtless such it is, and no better.

Then whatever Priest shall subscribe to this Article, and afterwards lift up his hands to this Romish Babel, (without great Repentance) is a damned Hy­pocrite.

And cursed beyond the Power of the Popes Absolution or Benedi­ction.

I am glad to find you so firm in this, and hope you will prove so as to the next, which thwarts another Doctrine of the Romanists.

What is that?

Read it, and you will be satisfied.

ART. 32.

Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, are not commanded by Gods Law, either to vow the Estate of Single life, or to abstain from Marriage: There­fore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christian Men, to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve better to Godliness.

Now you perceive whereto the Article tends?

Yes, to reprehend the Doctrine of the Papists, which forbids Priests to marry.

And I am sure our Church is in the right here, having the Scripture on her side.

She hath so; but she doth not say that Priests by the Word of God are bound to marry, or bound not to marry; but they may or may not, as in pru­dence or discretion they shall think fit.

And as the same shall serve better to Godliness; pray put that in too.

Admit I do, yet I think 'tis as great prudence in Priests (and as con­ducive to Godliness, not to say more) to live unmarried, as married.

In good time: Then here you prefer the Prudence of the Church of Rome to this of our Church. You would have done well to have read this Article before you had subscribed it.

You will give me leave to speak my thoughts.

Most freely, good Tim. I know you are a single Person yet; but have you vowed perpetual Chastity (as the Papists call it)?

To speak truth, I have resolved it.

And if you do but believe as the Church of Rome believes in this Point too, no doubt but your Resolution or Vow will marvellously promote Godliness.

How is that?

That nothing can break or violate that Vow but Marriage.

I don't understand your meaning.

The meaning is, a Priest having vowed Chastity, may if he will, and as oft as he will, frequent the publick Stews, or keep Concubines or Whores, yet be a very chast and honest Man. If a Priest keep an Whore at Board and at Bed, and use her constantly as if she were his Wife, he is not therefore Irregu­lar: but if he marry her, or an honester Woman, all the World cannot ex­cuse him; for though such Whoredom never disables a Priest, yet chaste Mar­riage utterly spoils him. Now doth not this tend mightily to Godliness? Yea, they make Whoredom so small a matter in a Religious Man, that they tell us; For a Monk or a Friar to lay aside his Habit, is a Crime by which he incurs Ex­communication; but if he lay aside his Habit that he may commit Fornication the more expeditely, without the Incumbrances which his Monkish Weeds would give him in the Act, they declare him upon that account freed from Censure. And so common is this Vice among them, that Cassander (a mode­rate Papist) saith, There is scarce an hundred amongst all their Priests that abstain from Women. Popish Coelebacy therefore is a great promoter of Pie­ty, is it not?

'Tis but some few that are so wicked.

'Tis a Leprosie that runs from Head to Foot in the Ecclesiastical Romish Body. The very Popes themselves (as Holy and Infallible as they are) have generally had a Finger in the Pye; as it were easie to shew, if time would permit : but for brevity sake, read but a few ancient Sentences written of some of them, and then give me your thoughts.—As that of Pope Paul the Second.

Of Pope Innocent the Eighth.

Of Pope Alexander the Sixth.

And of the Priests in general, one wittily writes.

What think you now of the Prudence of the Church of Rome, in forbidding Marriage, and allowing and practising Whoredom? Is it preferable to the [Page 34] Wisdom and Piety of our Church, which alloweth and encourageth Marriage in her Priests, to prevent Fornication and Uncleanness? And is the former a better means to Godliness and Chastity than the latter? Surely you will change your Opinion, though not your Condition; and believe a Priest con­fined by Lawful Matrimony, may be as good a Member of the Church as a Town-Bull.

Yet we do not read that many of the Apostles were married.

Nor that they made use of the Romish Remedy allowed to Priests unmarried.

God forbid any should think so; they were holy Men.

And Men in perpetual Travels, to publish the Gospel to all Nations, and under sore and continual Persecutions. But if not many, yet if any of them took upon them the holy and honourable Estate of Matrimony, that is sufficient to justifie this Article of our Church, encouraging her Clergy to the same. But St. Peter himself was (saith our Church) a married Man: In the Exhor­tation after Marriage. And how the Popes come to lay claim to more Prudence, Continency, and Holiness, than was in their (pretended) Predecessor, I am to learn; stead­fastly believing none of them ever had such Measures of the Spirit of Purity and Infalibility as he was endowed with.—And I do farther believe, that the licentious Practices of the Romish Priests and Jesuits of this kind (suita­ble to their Principles) hath been a great means of promoting Debauchery to so high a degree amongst us. For if a Priest may keep a Whore, why may not a Nobleman or a Gentleman do the like? Nay, some of our Lay-Hectors do not stick to aver, that it is more pleasurable, more prudent, (and as lawful), to keep a Courtisan than a Wife: And others that are married, have by these Doctrines of Demons been so perverted and drawn away to Licentiousness, as to rob their Families, to maintain their Misses. And from whom do they learn such Gospel, but from Rome and her Agents with us? Yet we must believe these Men under an inviolable Vow of Cha­stity.

In troth I am of your mind; therefore I resolve Coelebacy no farther than I find it consistent with true Chastity and Honesty.

And while you can keep that Resolution, I have nothing to say against it: For you may marry, or not marry, as your Prudence shall direct, and as it shall most promote an holy and godly Life, saith our Church, to whose Wisdom in this I subscribe.

So shall I; for I think she is in the right.

'Tis but newly come on you then; for but just now you thought she was in the wrong, and the Church of Rome was in the right.

But I see my Errour.

'Tis well; amend it too, and I am satisfied: but had you persisted in it, I would have read the next Article to you my self, to let you see what Punishment you deserved: But now you may proceed to it, as you have to them before.

ART. 33.

That Person which by open denunciation of the Church is right­ly cut off from the Ʋnity of the Church, and Excommunicated, ought to be taken of the whole multitude of the Faithful as an Heathen and Pub­lican, until he be openly reconciled by Penance, and received into the Church by a Judge that hath Authority thereunto.

Methinks I tremble at the very hearing of this word Excommunication. It carrying in it the most severe and utmost punishment, the visible Church can inflict upon any Offender.

What think you of suspension ab officio & beneficio, or of deposition?

I look upon them as great Punishments, and such as the Church may and ought upon just occasion, to inflict.—But this,—Take him Goaler, nay take him Devil; all other are Fleabites to this.—

As severe and sharp as 'tis, I wish it were more in use than 'tis.—

Not too brisk with your Bulls, 'tis dangerous to play with edg tools. It hath been too common, to the great reproach and injury of our Church, when at the command of a pas­sionate Commissary, the timorous Priest hath delivered over several to Satan, for not answer­ing immediately to their names, though in Court at the same time. And the fault lying ra­ther in the voice of the Apparitor than any obstinacy in them.

A light Offence truly.

But an heavy Sentence, and not to be taken off neither, without paying their Fees, as if that were the matter chiefly designed.—

Had I been the Priest, I should have paused a little, ere I had pronounced Sentence.

And any one else, who considers, to whom it belongs to Excommunicate, who are to be Excommunicated, for what causes, and the nature and end of Excommunication.—

Pray for my satisfaction, will you speak a little to these particulars, for I am taken with them much?

I shall, and as briefly and fully as I can, Ex subito,—I say 'tis to be considered,

1. To whom it belongs to Excommunicate, and here I find the Commission given to the Dis­ciples of Christ, Matth. 18.17. whom no lay. Chancellour or Commissary can represent, nor any but such as are in holy Orders, as Bishops, Priests, &c. And as the Constitution of our Church is, I think Bishops only (who are in chief Authority) can Excommunicate, and are the fittest Judges when and where that a Commissary's Sentence is to be passed. Though our Chancellours in our ordinary Courts take upon them to be Judges, and to direct and com­mand the Priesthood in this case. Which to allow, is neither better nor worse, then to give the Government of our Church into Lay-hands—a thing which we decry'd in the Presbyterians.

2. For those that are liable to this Censure; they must be more than ordinary Criminals, this Censure is not to pass upon common and trivial occasions, that makes it contemptible. And I find there are three sorts of men Excommunicable by Scripture rule. First, Such as pervert the sound Doctrine of Truth, as did Hymeneus and Alexander, 1

1. 20. Second­ly, Such as are defiled with notorious wickedness, as the incestuous Person at Corinth, 1 Cor. 5. 1, 5. Thirdly, Such as obstinately persist in their Crimes and Offences, after a double ad­monition (or treble rather) privately by himself, after that before two or three, and if that fails, then openly before the Church, and if he will not hear the Church, then let him be to thee as an Hea­then man, or a Publican, Matth. 18.15, 16, 17. Where our Saviour plainly teacheth us, that as this must be the last remedy, so he would have his Disciples (and those that succeed them) proceed to it with all caution and care, endeavouring first by all other means to gain the Offender to Repentance. Would to God all our Excommunications were always for such Causes, and proceeded with such Cautions and Endeavours. It would render both the Sentence more for­midable, and our Church more honourable.

I am fully of your mind, for I perceive 'tis a thing of weight.

3. That is the next particular, the Sentence it self. Excommunication carries no less in it than the Apostles, [...] 1 Cor. 5. 5. and 1 Tim. 1. 20. a delivering to Satan. Or it is a depriving the Offender of those daily means, which Christianity affords and ordinarily Ham­monds Annot. on 1 Cor. 5. 5. useth, to eject Satan and the power of his Kingdom out of the heart. Such are, 1. The Prayers of the Church. 2. The publick use of the Word and Doctrine of Christianity (for he that is under Cerem nec docet, nec docetur, says the Jews) and in the antient Christian Church, they that upon Repentance were received in again, were first amongst the [...], hearers in the Porch. 3. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper. Now certainly such a Sen­tence as this, which deprives a man of all the Ordinances of God, and delivers him over to the Devil, is not to be passed against a professing Christian out of pet and humor, upon light and trivial occasions, but for just Causes, and with greatest deliberation and considera­tion, and for right Ends; not for revenge or filthy lucre, or barely to shew a Dominion and Power. But to keep the Church pure by cutting off corrupt Members; and to reclaim the ob­stinate and impenitent by this means, when all other proves ineffectual. Thus you see Ex­communication (though an heavy Censure) is a Gospel Institution, and is appointed for high and excellent ends, and is a proper medium to those ends, where 'tis not abused. And I must [Page 36] needs say, 'tis better used in our Church at this time, then it was some Years past. Which I hope will make it more valuable than it hath been. Many men heretofore being so far from dreading it as a punishment, that they sought it as a priviledge, as it excluded them from our Church.—

You have given a full answer to my request, and great satisfaction to my mind in this matter, which I never before so well considered.

I am glad I can gratifie you in any thing. Proceed, for it grows late.

I will.

ARTICLE. 34.

It is not necessary that Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one, or utterly▪ alike; for at all times they have been divers, and may be changed according to the diversity of Countreys, Times, and mens Manners, so that nothing be ordained against Gods Word. Whosoever through his private judgment, willingly and purposely doth openly break the Traditions and Ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the Word of God, and be ordained and approved by common Authority, ought to be rebuked openly, (that others may fear to doe the like) as he that offendeth against the Common Order of the Church, and hurteth the Authority of the Magistrate, and woundeth the con­sciences of the weak Brethren.

Every Particular or National Church, hath Authority to ordain, change, and abolish Ceremonies or Rites of the Church, ordained only by mans Authority, so that all things be done to edifying.

I need not ask your thoughts of this, having had your opinion of the 20th. Article, not much different from this. So that you may read the next.

ARTICLE. 35.

The second Book of Homilies, the several Titles whereof we have joyned under this Article, doth contain a godly and wholsome Doctrine, and necessary for these times, as doth the former Book of Ho­milies, which were set forth in the time of Edward the 6th and therefore we judg them to be read in Churches by the Ministers, diligently and distinctly, that they may be understanded of the People.

• 1 OF the right use of the Church.
• 2 Against peril of Idolatry.
• 3 Of repairing and keeping clean of Churches.
• 4 Of good works, first of Fasting.
• 5 Against Gluttony and Drunkenness.
• 6 Against excess of Apparel.
• 7 Of Prayer.
• 8 Of the place and time of Prayer.
• 9 That Common Prayer and Sacraments ought to be ministred in a known Tongue,
• 10 Of the reverent estimation of Gods Word.
• 11 Of Alms-doing.
• 12 Of the Nativity of Christ.
• 13 Of the Passion of Christ.
• 14 Of the Resurrection of Christ.
• 15 Of the worthy receiving of the Sacrament of the Body and Bloud of Christ.
• 16 Of the Gifts of the holy Ghost.
• 17 For the Rogation days.
• 18 Of the state of Matrimony.
• 19 Of Repentance.
• 20 Against Idleness.
• 21 Against Rebellion.

These Homilies I suppose you are well acquainted with.

Truly no, I don't know that ever I saw them; I remember that some of our Rubricks sometimes appoint (if there be no Sermon) an Homily shall be read, but understand not what is meant by Homily.

It had not been amiss you had informed your understanding better, before you sub­scribed, because of the high Commendation the Article gives of them, which you consent to examine, by your subscription.

True, the Article saith they contain godly and wholsome Doctrine, and do they not?

That question comes a little too late from you, yet I answer, they do. The Books of Homilies are (I may call them Sermons) or Methodical Writings, composed on sundry ne­cessary Subjects (as you see here) by godly and sober men, and were of good use (in those times) saith the Article, being read distinctly to the People.

But why were they Composed?

For the benefit of the Clergy, few of whom were able to Preach (in those times) or doe any more than Read.

How long ago was it, or in what times were they Composed?

The Article tells you, one Book was in Edward the 6ths time, the other about 1604.

But why are they in use still, what are they better Sermons, than are usually Preach­ed in these times?

I think not, but far short of what many of our Reverend and Learned Clergy Preach weekly. Therefore they are rarely enjoyned now, but with this Proviso, if there be no Sermon. Whereby our Church saith no more than this, better an Homily than nothing▪ And I think our Governours in the Church shew their wisdom in not requiring the constant use of them. For though (as 'tis said here) they contain wholsome Doctrine, yet they are not so suitable in these times, as in those wherein they were framed. Honest B. Lattimer's Ser­mons contain in them wholsome Doctrines; yet if one of them should be read in our Churches, it would rather be matter of Ridicle than Edification to most of the Hearers.

It is very true, for most Persons stand affected to their Sermons, as they do to their Garments, nothing will please them but the newest Fashion—

And I can assure you that's no good humor, for Truth is the same in any dress▪ though I confess old Truths in a new dress, look somewhat better than new Truths in an old one.—But I admire you never saw the Homilies, since the Canon requires every Parish should have them.

There you have them?

Yes, I caused my Church-Wardens to buy them, and have diligently perused them, and my advice is, you doe the same: they are worth your reading, if it be but for this reason, because you have approved them by subscription to this Article—

As you say, upon that consideration, I may doe it, when I can light on them, but I shall not be at the cost to purchase them my self.—

As you please for that, but I hope you will read the next Article, which will be no charge to you?—

I will.

ARTICLE. 36.
The Book of Consecration of Archbishops and Bishops, and Ordering of Priests and Deacons, lately set forth in the time of Edward the 6th, and confirmed in the same time by Authority of Parliament, doth contain all things necessary to such Consecration and Ordering: neither hath it any thing that of it self is superstitious and ungodly. And therefore whosoever are Consecrated or Ordered according to the Rites of that Book, since the second Year of the aforenamed King Edward, unto this time, [...]r hereafter shall be Consecrated or Ordered according to the same Rites, we decree all such to be rightly, orderly, and lawfully Consecrated and Ordered.

This Article you and I, and every Minister of the Church must heartily own, else he must dissallow of his own Orders. Therefore we need spend no time here; nor much about what follows.

ARTICLE. 37.
The Queens Majesty hath the chief Power in this Realm of England, and other her Dominions, unto whom the chief Government of all Estates of this Realm, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Civil, in all Causes doth appertain, and is not, nor ought to be subject to any Forreign Jurisdiction.
Where we attribute to the Queens Majesty the chief Government, by which Titles we understand the minds of some slanderous folks to be offended: we give not to our Princes the ministring either of Gods Word, or of the Sacraments, the which thing the Injunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our Queen do most plainly testifie: but that onely Prerogative which we see to have been given al­ways to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himself, that is, that they should rule all Estates and Degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Temporal, and re­strain with the Civil Sword the stubborn and evil doers.
The Bishop of Rome hath no Jurisdiction in this Realm of England.
[Page 38] The Laws of the Realm may punish Christian men with death for hainous and grievous Offences.
It is lawful for Christian men, at the Commandment of the Magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the Wars.

No man can refuse to subscribe this Article, that hath taken the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy, as I know you have.

Yet (if I mistake not) this is one of the three Articles, the Dissenters would expunge from the thirty nine, and I wonder for what cause?

Because it makes the King Supream in and over all persons and things Ecclesiastical, as well as Civil, which most of Dissenters thought was no better than to make him a Pope. Yet some of them I think have better considered it since, for they have lately taken the Oath of Supremacy; and I know not (if understood aright) how any man can refuse it, that is not a Papist.

Then this Article may stand now as it is?

Yes, and with approbation too, no doubt : for swearing is every whit as bad as sub­scribing, and he that will doe the one, cannot reasonably refuse the other.—

But do they swear, as we subscribe, ex animo?

Who can say that? I hope they do; being great pretenders to Conscience and sincerity. But their Practice will be the best indication of this, which (I would gladly believe) will prove answerable to their Oath and Obligation by it.—

I wish interest and designs be not at the bottom; I suspect them really.—

'Tis time and Patience must give you satisfaction, whether 'tis so or not, and that's all the answer can be given at present.—

You say well, and for this reason I shall watch their water. And if they don't act, and walk according to the Ecclesiastical Laws, to which they have now obliged and subjected themselves, they shall hear of it on both ears▪

And I think it is not amiss to remind you, that you walk and act according to your Oaths and Obligations, least your reprehensions of them be returned with—the Devil re­bukes Sin.

I hope I shall give them no cause for such Repartees, having now a better understand­ing of things than I had. And my knowledg being bettered, I trust my practice shall be an­swerable.

Well resolved, 'tis the best way (saith the Apostle) by well doing, to put to silence igno­rant and foolish men.

In troth, more Knaves than Fools, I doubt.

Judge Charitably (Tim.) and as becomes a Christian, think the best, till you see just ground to alter your opinion. And let the consideration of your own infirmities, make you bear the more with your Brethrens.

Nay, for Love and Charity, I believe there is not much lost between them; for mine would serve me to see them subdued, and theirs to see the Church destroyed.

I perceive by your eyes, your Choler begins to rise in your Stomach, and therefore we must leave this and proceed to the next Article, and so to a close in a few words.

Why, have we so near done?

Yes, there is but two more, and they not long neither.

I am glad of it, for I am almost weary.

But I hope you don't repent of your pains?

No, no, I'le proceed.

ARTICLE. 38.
The Riches and Goods of Christians are not common, as touching the Right, Title, and Possession of the same, as certain Anabaptists do falsly boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give Alms to the poor, according to his ability.

You are no Leveller, are you Tim?

No.

Nor do you believe and hold that Dominion and Right, as to Worldly Riches and Possessions is founded in Grace?

No more than I do a World in the Moon, or that Dr. O. hath a right to the Arch-Bi­shoprick of Canterbury.

But you believe and teach, That all Christians ought to be Charitable and Rich in good Works, and I hope you are so your self?

Yes, I so teach, and so do according to my abi [...]ity: for I am not ignorant of the Divine Commands to this Duty, the many gracious promises made to those that doe it, and severe threatnings breathed forth against those that neglect it.—

Then I perceive you are sound as to this Article. Read the last.

ARTICLE. 39.

As we confess vain and rash Swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ and James his Apostle: So we judg that Christian Religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may Swear when the Magistrate requireth, in a Cause of Faith and Charity, so it be done according to the Prophets Teaching, in Justice, Judgment, and Truth.

The summe of this last Article is this: That vain and rash Oaths are unchristian, and forbidden by the Gospel. And that a lawful Oath (by the same word) may be given and taken in Justice, Judgment and Truth. Or when we are lawfully called to it by a lawful Magistrate. Now touching the former, some are too forward, and as to the latter, some too backward. And all that I shall say here (having spoken some­what to you of this nature already) is this, I heartily wish, that as some Dissenters from our Church may justly be charged for Swearing too little; so that they could not as justly charge many of our Church with Swearing too much.—

I wish so too, the Lord grant it.

Sure I am that because of Oaths, such as this Article forbids, &c. our Land mourns, I pray God therefore, that all Christians (Ministers especially) may learn of the Prophet David, to set a watch upon the door of their Lips, that they may not (in this kind above all) at any time offend with their Tongues.

Amen.

Now you have heard this short account of the Articles of our Church, which you have subscribed, give me your serious thoughts of them.—

In brief, and sincerely (as I subscribed them) I am convinced they are sound and good. That those Ministers who deviate from them, in Doctrine or Practice (as I and many more have done. God forgive both me and them) are greatly to blame, and justly deserve to be censur'd for it, by the Governours of our Church. And that such as hold them firm and inviolable, Preaching and Living according to them, are not only (in regard of their subscription) the most Conscientious Person, but must needs be also the Truest Friends to our Church, and strongest Foes to Rome, and all other our Churches Enemies.

God be thanked for this Conviction, and while you are in this good mind (with my Prayers to God that you may continue so) I bid you Farewel.—