A sober reply to the sober answer of Reverend Mr. Cawdrey, to A serious…

To the Antecedent I answer, first [according to our Congregational Principles] that which gives a Man the first right to a Sacrament, viz. his interest in the Covenant of the Gospel [which you use very much against Mr. Hooker taking the words from himself] this Man hath not: for he• doth visibly declare to the Churches that he hath no interest in that Covenant, ⟨p. 5⟩and your self deny it not, by what you have affirmed concerning the qualifications of Church-members. So then he hath no right, in that respect, all the right he hath is by the toleration of the Church, which the Church had best look to, now I do confess that first right is the main in my esteem, though not all that is required: as in a Minister, the great matter is the qualification of the person, which is his inward call, yet it is not all, but his Ordination is also requisite: but if Bishops, or Presbyters should ordain a scandalous and ignorant sot, not able to teach himself, nor the Church, I should extremely doubt of such a Minister: so here I conceive this first right is the chief, but yet as Mr. Hooker saith Baptism he must come by in a right Order, i.e. he must be a Member of some congregation; and not an individuum vagum, belonging to no particular Congregation, nor any body to have inspection over him. But if Ministers will admit persons that have not this first right, and continue such amongst them, here indeed is a kind of right, but this let the Ministers look to.

To the Antecedent I answer, first [according to our Congregationall Principles] that which gives a Man the first right to a Sacrament, viz. his interest in the Covenans of the Gospel [which you use very much against Mr. Hooker taking the words from himselfe] this Man hath not: for he• doth visibly declare to the Churches that he hath no interest in that Covenant, ⟨p. 5⟩and your selfe deny it not, by what you have affirmed concerning the qualifications of Church-members. So then he hath no right, in that respect, all the right he hath is by the toleration of the Church, which the Church had best looke to, now I do confesse that first right is the maine in my esteeme, though not all that is required: as in a Minister, the great matter is the qualification of the person, which is his inward call, yet it is not all, but his Ordination is also requisite: but if Bishops, or Presbyters should ordaine a scandalous and ignorant sot, not able to teach himselfe, nor the Church, I should extreamely doubt of such a Minister: so here I conceive this first right is the chiefe, but yet as Mr. Hoolter saith Baptisme he must come by in a right Order, i.e. he must be a Member of some congregation; and not an individuum vagum, belonging to no particular Congregation, nor any body to have inspection over him. But if Ministers will admit persons that have not this first right, and continue such amongst them, here indeed is a kinde of right, but this let the Ministers look to.