The major (or firft Propofition) is beyond exception: If an own-ing, fubmitting and fubfcribing to Orders,and Ordinances, that aret not onely, not of Chrift's revealing, but contrary thereunto, be not a denial of his Kingly and Prophetical Office, I muft profefs, I know not what is. Suppofe the Chief Magiftrate or Magiftrates of a Nation fhould give forth a Declaration of their will, touching this, or that other concern, were not persons Non-conformity thereunto (fuppofing it to be what lies within the verge of their Authority, and power to command, and may righteously be exacted of them, whofe Conformity is thereunto required) a filent oppofition of their Autho rity, but should any prefume to give forth Laws of their own, without the leaft ftamp of Authority upon them, yea contrary unto the Statutes and Declarations of their Governours, would not all conclude that these perfons and their Abettors were guilty of Rebellion' against their Rulers, and did really deny the lawfulness of their Authority? This is the prefent cafe, if men fhall be found traverfing paths, in the poffeffion and practice of Orders and Constitutions that are forreign to the Edicts of Chrift, yea contrary thereunto, fhall we not as rationally conclude that these perfons are really opposers of his Soveraign Authority and Government? doubtless fo! 'Tis the minor (or fecond Propofition) that may be under fufpition amongst fome, viz. That the prefent Minifters of England (the very beft of them) do own, submit and subscribe to Orders and Ordinances, that are not only, not of Chrifts revealing, but contrary thereunto : In which two things are incumbent upon us to prove. 1. That the prefent Minifters of England do own, fubmit and subfcribe to Orders and Ordinances, that are not of Chrift's revealing. This being a charge, as to matter of Fact, the production of a few Particulars, that lie near at hand, for its confirmation, will give it a fpeedy dispatch. lider pos Ecclef. Canons Can. 7.. 1. They own, fubmit and fubfcribe to the Orders and Offices, of Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, ArchDeacons, with many others appertaining unto this Hierarchie, as Orders needful and neceffary in the Church of Chrift, and promife fubjection and obedience unto them. 2. They own, and fubmit (Can, 4.) to a Lyturgy, or Prefcript form of Worship, devised by men, and impofed folely by their Authority, to which they tie themselves, neither diminishing, nor ad ding any thing in the matter or form thereof. 3. They own, fubmit,& engage to conform to all theOrders, Rites and Ceremonies prefcribed in the faid Book of Common-Prayer, (Can 36.) fuch as bowing at the Name of JESUS, using the Croß in Baptism, kneeling at the Lords Supper (which though we do not, fome would fay, Smells very strong of the Popish Leven, and is but one peg beneath the adoration of their Breaden-god) wearing the Surplice, &c. 4. They own that the Office of a Deacon is the first step or degree to the Miniftry Can. 32. 36.) to which they are to Submit and fubfcribe, before they are made Priests. 5. That no perfon be admitted to expound the Scripture, though judged worthy of the Cure of Souls (as they speak, Can. 49.) without Licenfe from the Bishop thereuntoon 6. That there be fome lawful Ministers, which are no Preachers, (Can. 49.57.) 7. That thefe unpreaching Ministers (Can. 57.) may lawfully adminifter the Ordinances of Baptifme and the Lord's Supper. 8. That perfons refusing to have their Children Baptifed,by fuch dumb Minifters,or receive the Communion from them, worthily deferve Excommunication if they shall perfist herein (Can. $7.) 9. That Confirmation by Diocefan Bishops, is an Ordinance of God. (Can. 60.) 10. That it appertains to the Office of Ministers to Marry. (Can.62.) 1. That the Bishop of the Dioceẞ may lawfully for a while, fuspend a Minister from his Ministry, for refusing to Bury the Dead. Can.68. 12. That 'tis not lawful for Ministers to preach or administer the Communion in private houses, except in times of neceffity. Can.71. 13. That no Minifter may lawfully appoint or keep any folemn private Fafts, or be wittingly prefent at any of them, nor hold any meetings for Sermons, in market Towns or other places; which if he do, and perfevere therein, he may lawfully be depofed from his Miniftry. (Can. 72.). 14. That Minifters ought to be distinguished by their Veftments and Apparel, as Gowns, Hoods, Tippets, Square-Caps, and in their journeys, Cloaks with fleeves (called Priests Cloaks. Can. 74.) with many more that might be added, to which the Minifters of England are to fub fcribe, and own as agreeable to the Word of God, before their admiffion into the Miniftry according to the 38th Canon Eccleafiastical. Are any of thefe Ordinances and Conftitutions of the appointment of Chrift? Chrift? when, or where were they inftituted by him? that these are pofts fet by the Lord's pofts, and thresholds by his thresholds, (of which the Lord complains, Ezek. 43. 8.) who fees not? That the prefent Minifters of England do conform and fubfcribe hereunto, cannot be denied, and thence an owning fubfcribing and fubmitting to Orders and Conftitutions that are not of Chrifts appointment, is evidently evinced. Object. If it be faid, That though thefe Canons, and Conftitutions owned by the Minifters of England,be not furws, to be found in the Scripture of the Inftitution of Chrift in fo many words, yet by confequence they may rationally be deduced from thence: As where it is commanded, That all things be done decently and in order, 1 Cor. 14. 40, which 'tis the duty of the Church to make Rules and Conftitutions about, which when it bath done, it is the duty of every Son thereof, to own, or fubject to,without queftioning its Authority. Anf. That there is any thing of moment in this Objection, though their Achilles in this matter, and that which they are upon every turn producing, is easily demonftrated. The whole of it being built upon as uncertain principles, yea upon as notorioufly false fuppofitions, as ever objection in fo weighty a cafe was built upon. 1. 'Tis fuppofed, that Chrift hath not determined in the Scripture, how the Affairs of his House should be managed with decency and order, as well as commanded that they be fo; which is, 1. No fmall derogation to the perfection of the Scriptures. 2. To the Wif. dom and Faithfulness of Chrift, debafing of him herein, below Mofes, though the Scripture in this refpect prefers him before him. 3. Diametrically oppofite to the Scripture inftanc'd in, which stands as a two-edged Sword to cut the throat of their caufe, in its approaches thereto for fhelter: Of which take this brief account; The Apoftle having in the beginning of the chapter, preft the Church of Corinth, to follow after Spiritual Gifts, but especially that they might prophecy; the liberty of the Saints therein being fully afferted, and feveral directions thereabout given, he condemns their disorderly practife, in respect of this important Duty and Priviledge, ver. 26. and gives direction touching its regular performance; and this he doth, firft, generally, ver. 26. Let all things be done to edifying, which with a little alteration he re-preffes, ver.40. Let all things be done decently and in order. Secondly, Particularly, by telling them F how how they ought to manage this affair, in a way of Decency, Order and Edification; wherein feveral Rules are comprized, too long to be here infifted on, as in cases of speaking in an unknown Tongue, ver. 27, 28. of prophefying by two or three, ver, 29, 30. of the duties of Women with respect thereunto, ver. 34, 35. that from hence a power invested in the Church for the binding of the confciences of men, touching ceremonies in Worship, should be regularly deduced, is the firft-born of improbabilities and absurdities. 1. Paul fpeaking by an infallible Spirit of Prophecy, advises the Church of Corinth, that all things be done decently and in order; therefore perfons that have not, pretend not to fuch a Spirit, may of their own heads bind our confciences by Laws and Rules of their own in the fervice of God. 2. Paul doth not onely tell them, that all things ought to be done decently and in order, but difcovers to them, wherein that Decency and Order lies; therefore the Church hath power to determine in this matter, are fuch Non-fequiturs as will not in haft be made good. But let this be granted, fuppofe that 'tis the priviledge and duty of the Church to make Laws and Conftitutions, for the binding of the confciences of men in matters of Decency and Order; this Church herein is bounded by the Scripture, or it is not: If it be f bounded by the Scripture, then when it hath no prescription therein, for its commands, its not to be obeyed, and fo we are where we were before, that Decency and Order is to be determined by the Scripture: If it be not bounded therby, then whatever Ceremonies it introduceth, not directly contrary thereunto, they must be fubjected to; which how fair an inlet it is to the whole Farago of Popish Inventions,who fees not? yet were this also yielded them, they were never a jot nearer the mark aimed at, except it can be proved, that fuppofing a power of introducing Ceremonies to be invested in the Church, thence a power for the inftitution of new Orders and Ordinances, the introducing of Heathenish, Jewish and fuperftitious practices in the Worship of God, may be evinced: And yet should all this be yeelded them, none of which will they be able to prove to Learned Maccovius in loc. com. cap. 83. p. 851. fayes, Leges fecundum quas judicare debent rectores Ecclefia funt leges in verbo Dei prafcripte. The Laws he tells you by which the Governours of the Church are to judge, are fuch as are prefcribed in the Word of GOD.. the : the worlds end; how will they manifeft, thofe Lordly Commands and Conftitutions are the Conftitutions of a truly-conftituted Church of Chrift, (a ftrong fuppofition hereof is the gato ad of the prefent Objection:) and yet fail they in the making good their ground herein who fees not that their plea hitherto impleaded, finks of it self? what is it then they mean by the Church, whofe ve Soğu, we are without difputing to subject to? is it the National Church of England? But where find they any National-Church of the inftitation of Chrift, in the Oeconomie of the Gofpel? how prove they that the Church of England is fo? Yet should this alfo be granted, where are the Conftitutions and Laws of this Church, that we may pay the homage to them as is meet? when was it affembled iirdud in the fame place together, in its feveral Members freely to debate, (1 Cor. 11. 20. & 14.23.) and † determine what Laws and Conftitutions were fit to be obferved by them? If it be faid, That this is not requifit, it is enough that it be affembled in its feveral Officers, or fuch as fhall be chofen by their Offi. cers, whofe Laws every Member is bound to be obedient to. We answer, But these Officers are the Church, or they are not; if they are not (as there is nothing more fure) I owe no fubjection to their Laws or Conftitutions, it being pleaded that 'tis theChurch that hath only power in this matter: if they are the Church, let them by one Scripture prove they are fo; or, where the true Officers of a true Church are fo called, and as Nonius faith out of Nevins to them, Maccovius in loc. com. append. de Adi. p. 861. fayes, Conditio tertia que requiritur in adiaphoris eft hac, quod bac non debeant introduci in Ecclefiam, nifi communi consensu Ecclefia, Acts 15, Things indifferent, he tells you, ought not to be introduced into the Church, but by the common confent thereof, according to Acts 15. -Dum vivebo fidelis ero. Yet except this also be yeelded them, there is nothing of moment in the Objection produced: It remaineth therefore that the prefent Minifters of England, submit, own, and fubfcribe to, Laws and Conftitutions, that are not,in any fenfe, of Chrift's revealing, and therefore oppose the Kingly & Prophetical Office of Chrift. But this is not all. 2dly. The prefent Minifters of England do own, fubmit, and subfcribe to Laws, Conftitutions and Ordinances, that are contrary to F 2 the |