Confirmation and restoration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of…

Let them see that you despise the world, and live above it, and can easily part with it; that you can forgive and bear a wrong; that your heart is in Heaven, and your treasure there; and that you are the heirs of another world: Let all men hear and see by you, that you have a higher design in your eye, then the ungodly, and that you are driving on another trade, then the men that have their portion in this life. Heaven is your Real Glory: and to be Heavenly is your true Reputative Glory, not only in the eyes of the wi•e, but of the common earthworms of the world. 7. Set your selves in the most diligent and faithful improvement of all your parts and Interests to help on the Work of God on mens Souls. Though you preach not, you have work enough in your own places to do, to further the Preachers work. Speak to poor people prudently, seasonably, and seriously about the state of their Souls, and Everlasting Life: and consult with the Ministers, how to deal with them: Tell ⟨p. 289⟩them in what state you find the people, and take their advice in further dealing with them. O if our neighbours would but help us in private, and do their parts, and not cast all the burden on the Minister, there would much more be done then is! Nay, alas, to our grief and hindrance, some of our Professing people are so hot, and self-conceited, and proud, that unless we will outrun our own understandings, and be ruled by them, and shut out abundance that the Word of God allows us not to shut out, and be Righteous overmuch, and shut up the Church of Christ, as in a nut-shell; they presently murmur and rebel, and separate, and must betake themselvel to a stricter Congregation. And others of them, must have us cast off Discipline, and cut up the hedge, and admit all to the Communion and Privileges of the Church, and all under a blind pretence of Charity; and some Learned Gentlemen by words and writings, do enrage our ignorant and ungodly▪ neighbours against us, and make them believe, that we do them some grievous wrong, because we will not indeed deceive them and undo them, and set up new Church-orders (or disorders) now in the end of the world, so contrary to all ⟨p. 290⟩the ancient Canons and Orders of the Church. I honour and dearly love the names of many of these studious, pious Gentlemen:

Let them see that you despise the world, and live above it, and can easily part with it; that you can forgive and bear a wrong; that your heart is in Heaven, and your treasure there; and that you are the heires of another world: Let all men heare and see by you, that you have a higher designe in your eye, then the ungodly, and that you are driving on another trade, then the men that have their portion in this life. Heaven is your Reall Glory: and to be Heavenly is your true Reputative Glory, not only in the eies of the wi•e, but of the common earthworms of the world. 7. Set your selves in the most diligent and faithfull improvement of all your parts and Interests to help on the Work of God on mens Souls. Though you preach not, you have work enough in your own places to do, to further the Preachers work. Speake to poore people prudently, seasonably, and seriously about the state of their Souls, and Everlasting Life: and consult with the Ministers, how to deale with them: Tell ⟨p. 289⟩them in what state you find the people, and take their advice in further dealing with them. O if our neighbours would but helpe us in private, and do their parts, and not cast all the burden on the Minister, there would much more be done then is! Nay, alas, to our grief and hindrance, some of our Professing people are so hot, and self-conceited, and proud, that unless we will outrunne our own understandings, and be ruled by them, and shut out abundance that the Word of God allows us not to shut out, and be Righteous overmuch, and shut up the Church of Christ, as in a nut-shell; they presently murmure and rebell, and separate, and must betake themselvel to a stricter Congregation. And others of them, must have us cast off Discipline, and cut up the hedge, and admit all to the Communion and Priviledges of the Church, and all under a blind pretense of Charity; and some Learned Gentlemen by words and writings, do enrage our ignorant and ungodly▪ neighbours against us, and make them believe, that we do them some grievous wrong, because we will not indeed deceive them and undo them, and set up new Church-orders (or disorders) now in the end of the world, so contrary to all ⟨p. 290⟩the ancient Canons and Orders of the Church. I honour and deerly love the names of many of these studious, pious Gentlemen:

But seriously I must tell them, that they want humility, and in their good meanings do the Church a world of wrong. And though they may be more learned even in Theology, then we, yet it is a great matter to have or to want experience. They have not been so much in Church-administrations as we, nor had so much to do with ignorant Souls. And verily I must say again, that the bare Theory maketh but a bungler in this work: I must much suspect the Judgment of that man in matters of Church-government, or dealing with poor Souls, that wants experience. Let these Gentlemen, but turn Ministers, (be it known to their faces, there's none of them too good for it, nor too great) and let them but try our life a little while, and I shall set more by their Judgments, then now I do. I red many a Physicians writings, before I was fit to attempt a Cure. It's a raw deceitful kind of knowledge in these practical affairs, that is not furthered by experience.

But seriously I must tell them, that they want humility, and in their good meanings do the Church a world of wrong. And though they may be more learned even in Theology, then we, yet it is a great matter to have or to want experience. They have not been so much in Church-administrations as we, nor had so much to do with ignorant Souls. And verily I must say againe, that the bare Theory maketh but a bungler in this work: I must much suspect the Judgment of that man in matters of Church-government, or dealing with poor Souls, that wants experience. Let these Gentlemen, but turn Ministers, (be it known to their faces, there's none of them too good for it, nor too great) and let them but try our life a little while, and I shall set more by their Judgments, then now I do. I red many a Physicians writings, before I was fit to attempt a Cure. It's a raw deceitful kind of knowledg in these practical affaires, that is not furthered by experience.

2. And as for the duty of the ignorant, ungodly people, I shall say little of it, because I suppose they are not like to read or ⟨p. 291⟩regard what I say. Only in general, it is their first duty, to become truly godly persons, and so to live in communion with the Church. But upon supposition that they will not yet be such, their next choice should be to live in quiet submission to their Teachers, and patiently stay among the Catechumens, and Expectants, till they are fit for a higher place and Privileges. And with the reasonableness of this motion, and how it conduceth to their good, we should labour to acquaint them, and make them sensible of it, that they may be patient in their station.

2. And as for the duty of the ignorant, ungodly people, I shall say little of it, because I suppose they are not like to read or ⟨p. 291⟩regard what I say. Only in general, it is their first duty, to become truly godly persons, and so to live in communion with the Church. But upon supposition that they will not yet be such, their next choice should be to live in quiet submission to their Teachers, and patiently stay among the Catechumens, and Expectants, till they are fit for a higher place and Priviledges. And with the reasonableness of this motion, and how it conduceth to their good, we should labour to acquaint them, and make them sensible of it, that they may be patient in their station.

Therefore the chief Governors of the Nation ought to make Laws, and cause them to be executed, for the constraining of the grossly Ignorant and ungodly, to hear the Word preached publicly, and to submit to be privately Catechised, and Instructed by the Ministers: and to command them patiently to wait, as learners in this Condition, till they are fit to be Approved members of the Church. These carnal people look more at the sword, and will of the Magistrate, in matters of Religion, then others do; because ⟨p. 294⟩they understand no other argument, and can favour nothing but the things of the flesh. Did but the Rulers of the Nation hear how they daily enquire what Religion shall be owned and settled by them, they would sure think it their duty, to lend them a little more of their help. We desire you not to drive them to Christianity, nor to Sacraments, or Church-Communion: only drive them to hear, and learn, and be instructed, that the Light of Truth may do the rest. Surely none can reasonably suspect, that this is against the Liberty of their Consciences, unless the slavery of Satan be their Liberty: and it be their Liberty to be free from Christ, and Righteousness, and Heaven. It's hard to believe that Governor to be a Christian, that will not do this much to help his Subjects to be Christians.

Therefore the chief Governours of the Nation ought to make Laws, and cause them to be executed, for the constraining of the grosly Ignorant and ungodly, to heare the Word preached publikly, and to submit to be privately Catechised, and Instructed by the Ministers: and to command them patiently to waite, as learners in this Condition, till they are fit to be Approved members of the Church. These carnal people look more at the sword, and will of the Magistrate, in matters of Religion, then others do; because ⟨p. 294⟩they understand no other argument, and can favour nothing but the things of the flesh. Did but the Rulers of the Nation heare how they daily enquire what Religion shall be owned and setled by them, they would sure think it their duty, to lend them a little more of their help. We desire you not to drive them to Christianity, nor to Sacraments, or Church-Communion: only drive them to heare, and learne, and be instructed, that the Light of Truth may do the rest. Surely none can reasonably suspect, that this is against the Liberty of their Consciences, unless the slavery of Satan be their Liberty: and it be their Liberty to be free from Christ, and Righteousness, and Heaven. It's hard to believe that Governour to be a Christian, that will not do this much to help his Subjects to be Christians.

Direct. 2. And as the Magistrate should constrain such People to submit to be Instructed, so should he constrain the Ministers to Instruct them, both by public preaching, and by private conference and Catechizing, if they be able: and if through the greatness of the place, one Minister is not able to perform it, there should be so many maintained proportionably, to the number and necessities of Souls, as may be able. ⟨p. 295⟩The Reason why Ministers themselves should be compelled by Penalties are, 1. First because some are so dull, that they need the spur. 2. Because our performances will be the less resisted by the people, when they know we are forced by the Magistrate. 3. Because the Magistrates Judgment puts much authority and honour on the work, in the peoples eyes: compel us therefore, as well as them.

Direct. 2. And as the Magistrate should constraine such People to submit to be Instructed, so should he constraine the Ministers to Instruct them, both by publike preaching, and by private conference and Catechizing, if they be able: and if through the greatness of the place, one Minister is not able to perform it, there should be so many maintained proportionably, to the number and necessities of Souls, as may be able. ⟨p. 295⟩The Reason why Ministers themselves should be compelled by Penalties are, 1. First because some are so dull, that they need the spur. 2. Because our performances will be the less resisted by the people, when they know we are forced by the Magistrate. 3. Because the Magistrates Judgment puts much authority and honour on the work, in the peoples eies: compel us therefore, as well as them.

Direct. 3. The Magistrate should also impose a penalty upon all that undertake to be Pastors of a Church, and administer the Lords Supper, and yet will not make any necessary Trial of the Knowledge, Faith, and Lives of those, to whom they do administer it, nor exercise any Church Discipline on the scandalous; but utterly neglect that Oversight and Church-Government, which is as much a part of the Pastoral work, as public preaching is. They that will undertake to be Pastors, and meddle with Sacraments, must be compelled to do the work of Pastors, and to dispense the Sacraments in a tolerable order. Though yet we are not for compulsion in any doubtful points, of lesser moment, where a difference among the Godly may be tolerated: But that Pastors should act as no Pastors, and Rectors ⟨p. 296⟩of the Churches be as no Rectors, and should cherish all ignorance, infidelity, and impiety, and profane Gods Ordinances, and subvert the Communion of Saints, and lay the Garden of Christ open to the common wilderness, and thereby make all seem singular to the people, that will not do as wickedly as these; this is not to be tolerated; but the Commissioners for ejecting scandalous Ministers, with the advice of the Assistants, should have power to correct them, and in case of obstinate unreformedness to eject them: Not to silence them from preaching to the Catechumens or any; but to prohibit them from the actions proper to Church Rulers or Pastors, till they will perform them more agreeably to the Scripture Rule.

Direct. 3. The Magistrate should also impose a penalty upon all that undertake to be Pastours of a Church, and administer the Lords Supper, and yet will not make any necessary Tryal of the Knowledg, Faith, and Lives of those, to whom they do administer it, nor exercise any Church Discipline on the scandalous; but utterly neglect that Oversight and Church-Government, which is as much a part of the Pastoral work, as publike preaching is. They that will undertake to be Pastours, and meddle with Sacraments, must be compelled to do the work of Pastours, and to dispence the Sacraments in a tollerable order. Though yet we are not for compulsion in any doubtfull points, of lesser moment, where a difference among the Godly may be tollerated: But that Pastours should act as no Pastours, and Rectors ⟨p. 296⟩of the Churches be as no Rectors, and should cherish all ignorance, infidelity, and impiety, and profane Gods Ordinances, and subvert the Communion of Saints, and lay the Garden of Christ open to the common wilderness, and thereby make all seeme singular to the people, that will not do as wickedly as these; this is not to be tolerated; but the Commissioners for ejecting scandalous Ministers, with the advice of the Assistants, should have power to correct them, and in case of obstinate unreformedness to eject them: Not to silence them from preaching to the Catechumens or any; but to prohibite them from the actions proper to Church Rulers or Pastours, till they will performe them more agreeably to the Scripture Rule.

And this compulsion also of the Ministers, we desire especially for the peoples sake, who we are content should be excused themselves from any such penal Laws, to restrain them from Sacraments; but when they know that Ministers are under such penalties, they will bear it at their hands, and take it the better, when we deal with them, as the Word of God requireth. I hear it with my ears, to the grief of my heart, how some of my neighbour Ministers are spoken against, with ⟨p. 297⟩bitterness by their people, because they give not the Lords Supper to all, even to the most ignorant and ungodly, that refuse to be instructed; or so much as to take themselves for any members of the Ministers charge: And that which they say is, that though Bishops and Common Prayer be taken down, yet the giving of the Sacrament to all the Parish, is not taken down. And they that now submit so quietly to the disusing of many other things, because Ministers are punishable if they use them, would also do the like in this case. And yet if you are jealous, that Ministers will go as far on the other hand, in refusing the people that are not to be refused, (though with one of an hundred, there's little fear of that) we are contented that you look to us also in this: To which end these two things will be sufficient. 1. Let the Magistrate join with the Pastors and Delegates of the Church in their meetings, where Church-affairs are transacted, that he may see what we do. If there be no Justice of Peace in the Parish, let every Church have a Church-Magistrate purposely chosen by the chief Magistrate; or some Agent on his behalf deputed hereunto. 2. And let the Magistrates Agent acquaint the Commissioners how things are transacted, in cases of ⟨p. 298⟩Complaint, and let them by the advise of the Assistant Ministers, correct us as we deserve, if you should imagine this to be necessary.

And this compulsion also of the Ministers, we desire especially for the peoples sake, who we are content should be excused themselves from any such penal Laws, to restraine them from Sacraments; but when they know that Ministers are under such penalties, they will beare it at their hands, and take it the better, when we deale with them, as the Word of God requireth. I heare it with my eares, to the grief of my heart, how some of my neighbour Ministers are spoken against, with ⟨p. 297⟩

Direct. 4. The Magistrate should promote, encourage, countenance, yea command the Pastors to Associations and Brotherly correspondencies, for the more cautelous, and vigorous, and effectual management of these works; and for the concatenation and Communion of Churches, and the right understanding of each others affairs; that he that hath Communion in one Church, may by Communicatory Letters, have Communion in any of the rest; and he that is cast or kept out of one, may not be received by the rest, till it be proved that he is excluded unjustly. And those that join not so fully as the rest, may yet be provoked to own one another, as far as they can; that so we may maintain brotherly Love, with all that differ from us by tolerable differences; and may own them as Churches, though we cannot own their different opinions or ways; and may have such Communion with them, as we may, and upon their Letters may admit their members to our Communion. This the Magistrate should at least openly provoke, and encourage the Churches and Pastors ⟨p. 299⟩to; seeing no man can doubt whether it be for the edification of the Church.

Direct. 4. The Magistrate should promote, encourage, countenance, yea command the Pastours to Associations and Brotherly correspondencies, for the more cautelous, and vigorous, and effectual management of these works; and for the concatenation and Communion of Churches, and the right understanding of each others affaires; that he that hath Communion in one Church, may by Communicatory Letters, have Communion in any of the rest; and he that is cast or kept out of one, may not be received by the rest, till it be proved that he is excluded unjustly. And those that joyne not so fully as the rest, may yet be provoked to owne one another, as farre as they can; that so we may maintaine brotherly Love, with all that differ from us by tollerable defferences; and may own them as Churches, though we cannot own their different opinions or waies; and may have such Communion with them, as we may, and upon their Letters may admit their members to our Communion. This the Magistrate should at least openly provoke, and encourage the Churches and Pastours ⟨p. 299⟩to; seeing no man can doubt whether it be for the edification of the Church.

Direct. 5. For the better promoting of this Necessary work, I conceive it would be a very ready and unquestionable way, for the Magistrate to appoint an able, Godly, moderate Minister, to be a Visitor in each County, or rather in each half or quarter of a County, to see the Churches thus Reformed, and provoke the several Pastors to their duty, and assist them in it, where there is need: But not to have any Episcopal power to punish, or cast out any Minister, or excommunicate them, suspend them, or the like: But let every Visitor have an Agent of the Magistrate joined with him, armed with authority to convent the Ministers, and examine witnesses, and do what more the chief Magistrate shall see meet, so that still these two Visitors go together, but have not the same Authority or work; but let the Minister only enquire, direct, exhort, and give account and advice to the civil Visitor; and let the civil Visitor have all the Coercive Power: And let both of them transmit such causes as are exempt from their determination, to the Commissioners for ejecting scandalous Ministers, who by the advise of the Assistant Ministers may determine them. These Visitors ⟨p. 300⟩did very much to the first and great Reformation of Scotland, when Popery had overrun all: Nor did they Scruple the using of them, for all that they were against Prelacy.

Direct. 5. For the better promoting of this Necessary work, I conceive it would be a very ready and unquestionable way, for the Magistrate to appoint an able, Godly, moderate Minister, to be a Visiter in each County, or rather in each half or quarter of a County, to see the Churches thus Reformed, and prvoke the several Pastours to their duty, and assist them in it, where there is need: But not to have any Episcopal power to punish, or cast out any Minister, or excommunicate them, suspend them, or the like: But let every Visitor have an Agent of the Magistrate joyned with him, armed with authority to convent the Ministers, and examine witnesses, and do what more the chief Magistrate shall see meet, so that still these two Visitors go together, but have not the same Authority or work; but let the Minister only enquire, direct, exhort, and give account and advice to the civil Visiter; and let the civil Visiter have all the Coercive Power: And let both of them transmit such causes as are exempt from their determination, to the Commissioners for ejecting scandalous Mininisters, who by the advise of the Assistant Ministers may determin them. These Visiters ⟨p. 300⟩

Direct. 6. It is one of the chief and unquestionable parts of the Magistrates duty, in order to the Reformation and Peace of the Churches, and the saving of mens Souls,¹ to see that dangerous Seducers be restrained, from infecting and carrying away the ignorant, ungodly, discontented people, that are kept under Ministerial Teaching, as Expectants. I do not move to have men driven into our Churches: Nor do I move to have an unnecessary restraint laid upon mens tongues or pens, in case of tolerable differences, among the Servants of Christ. In this case I only desire now, that the Dissenting Godly Brethren, would agree together, to meddle with their differences no ⟨p. 301⟩more then needs, and to manage their Disagreements with such Cautions, and in such manner, and season, and measure, as may least hinder their success in the common work, viz. the promoting of the common Fundamental Verities, and the converting and saving of the Ignorant and ungodly, and getting down the reigning sins of the world. And then they will find, 1. That if there by any truth in the private Opinions, which they would propagate, it will far easier be received, when the minds of their brethren are sedate and peaceable, then when they are alarmed to the conflict, by unseasonable preaching for the said Opinions. 2. And that the Errors (of this lower nature among Brethren) which some fear a toleration of, will sooner die of themselves for want of fuel in such Peaceable deportment, then when the bellows of opposition, contradiction, reproach, and violence are blowing them up, and putting life continually into them. For most Dividers are proud and selfish, and must needs be noted, for somewhat extraordinary: And you take the principal way to animate them, when you make so much ado with them: Whereas a few years neglect, and not observing them, as if there were no such men in the world, (unless ⟨p. 302⟩when they impose a Necessity on us) would more happily extinguish them. I speak but what I have seen and tried. This therefore is not the matter of my present request, that Magistrates would use rigour and violence with godly men, about tolerable differences; which the Power of greater Light and Love in the contrary minded, is the principal means to reconcile.

Direct. 6. It is one of the chief and unquestionable parts of the Magistrats duty, in order to the Reformation and Peace of the Churches, and the saving of mens Souls,

But the thing requested now of Magistrates is, that they would keep out the Wolves, while we are feeding the Sheep▪ or help us in it. That they suffer not damnable deceivers, or any that plainly go about to subvert mens Souls, or the state of the Church, to fall in with our Ignorant, ungodly people, in the time of their Learning and Expectancy. And as I shall be ready against any Libertine, Infidel, or Papist in the world, to prove this to be in the Magistrates Power, and his flat duty (of which I hope no sober Christian doubteth) so I shall here lay before the Magistrate, the Reasons that shall evince the need of his help, in the present case.

Reason 1. The people that we now speak of, are so utterly ignorant, that it's easy to deceive them. It's no dishonour to Truth, that a fool, or a child my be deluded: but ⟨p. 303⟩such are not to be left to the malice and craft of juggling enemies.

Reason 1. The people that we now speak of, are so utterly ignorant, that it's easy to deceive them. It's no dishonour to Truth, that a foole, or a child my be deluded: but ⟨p. 303⟩such are not to be left to the malice and craft of jugling enemies.

Reason 2. So wicked are the hearts of those, that we now speak of (or many of them) that they are prepared for Deceit, and willing of it Materially, though not Formally, as such. It's easy drawing men from that which they hate, or their hearts are bent against, and to that which they Love, and their hearts are set upon. Such gunpowder will soon take fire.

Reason 3. Our people by the forementioned work of Reformation, will undoubtedly be cast into Discontents: They will be sorely displeased with their Teachers; which is a small matter, were it not that it hindereth their own Salvation. They have so long been used to have their own will, and to be admitted even in Heathenish Ignorance and Impiety to the Communion of the Saints, and all the outward Privileges, without any considerable exercise of Discipline over them, that now it will be a strange provoking thing to them, when their custom shall be altered. So that in the discontent and hatred of their minds, if Infidels, or Papists, or any such Malignant adversaries shall come among them, their own malignity and discontent, will drive them by ⟨p. 304⟩multitudes into their nets; and they will turn to the first that comes with any plausible though pernicious doctrine. With half an eye we may easily see this: And therefore, if the Magistrate will not help us to quiet and secure the people, and keep off deceivers, while we are Catechising, and Instructing, and Preparing the grossly Ignorant and ungodly, it will be to the hazard of many thousand souls, and a temptation to many fainthearted Ministers, again to cast open the hedge▪ and lay the Churches Communion common, for fear of the ill consequence, that will follow to the people by displeasing them.

Reason 3. Our people by the foremencioned work of Reformation, will undoubtedly be cast into Discontents: They will be sorely displeased with their Teachers; which is a small matter, were it not that it hindreth their own Salvation. They have so long been used to have their own will, and to be admitted even in Heathenish Ignorance and Impiety to the Communion of the Saints, and all the outward Priviledges, without any considerable exercise of Discipline over them, that now it will be a strange provoking thing to them, when their custom shall be altered. So that in the discontent and hatred of their minds, if Infidels, or Papists, or any such Malignant adversaries shall come among them, their own malignity and discontent, will drive them by ⟨p. 304⟩multitudes into their nets; and they will turn to the first that comes with any plausible though pernicious doctrine. With half an eie we may easily see this: And therefore, if the Magistrate will not help us to quiet and secure the people, and keep off deceivers, while we are Catechising, and Instructing, and Preparing the grosly Ignorant and ungodly, it will be to the hazard of many thousand souls, and a temptation to many fainthearted Ministers, againe to cast open the hedge and lay the Churches Communion common, for feare of the ill consequence, that will follow to the people by displeasing them.

And yet I may well conclude, that though still the Church will have need of some of the Magistrates help in this same way, yet nothing so much hereafter, as at first. 1 It is Custom that most holdeth the people now, and enrageth them against the breakers of it. And when once the Custom is broken and turned, they will be much more quiet. 2. We now find the Churches in the rubbish, and have the harshest work at first to do, which will soon be over, and the Churches and minds of men more settled. 3. A few years Practise of Confirmation, in the foredescribed way, I hope will introduce such abundance ⟨p. 305⟩of Knowledge, and so increase the face of Godliness, that we shall have little need of the Magistrates help, in this kind as now we have. But now at first our Necessity is very great.

And yet I may well conclude, that though still the Church will have need of some of the Magistrates help in this same way, yet nothing so much hereafter, as at first. 1 It is Custom that most holdeth the people now, and enrageth them against the breakers of it. And when once the Custom is broken and turned, they will be much more quiet. 2. We now find the Churches in the rubbish, and have the harshest work at first to do, which will soone be over, and the Churches and minds of men more setled. 3. A few yeares Practise of Confirmation, in the foredescribed way, I hope will introduce such abundance ⟨p. 305⟩of Knowledg, and so increase the face of Godliness, that we shall have little need of the Magistrates helpe, in this kind as now we have. But now at first our Necessity is very great.