The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the…

Answ. The Book is unfitly called plain dealing, which (in respect of many passages in it) might rather be called false and fraudulent. I forbear to speak of the man himself, because soon after the publishing of that Book, himself was called away out of the world to give account of his Book and whole life before the highest Judge. He was indeed himself not received into the Fellowship of the Church, for his professed Errors: as 1 That the Antichrist described in the Revelation was not yet come, nor any part of that Prophecy yet fulfilled from the 4. chapter to the end. 2. That the Apostolic function was not yet ceased: but that there still ought to be such, who should by their transcendent authority govern all Churches. To reclaim him from these Errors, he was seriously dealt withal both in conference, and (according to his desire) in writing. But when he saw, he could not defend the latter. Error, but by building again the Bishops, against whom he had witnessed (as he said) in soliciting the cause of Mr. Prynne, he rather then he would revoke his present tenet, acknowledged he was then in an Error, when he took part with Mr. Prynne, & Mr. Burton, & therefore he would now return to England again, to reduce those famous witnesses from the Error of their way. And accordingly, away he went: but see the wise hand of God disappointing his ends; When he came to England the Bishops were falling, so that he lost his friends, and hopes both in Old-England and New: yet put out his Book (such as it is) and soon after dyed. By the way, let no man think, he was kept out of our Churches, for maintaining the authority of Bishops. For we have in our Churches some well respected Brethren, who do indifferently allow either Episcopal, or Presbyterial, or Congregational ⟨p. 72⟩Government, so be it they govern according to the rules of the Gospel. Neither do we disturb such, nor they us in our communion with them. But to return to Mr. Lechford's plain dealing: that which he testifieth, neither is it true; neither if it were, doeth it reach Mr. Bailies assertion.

Answ. The Book is unfitly called plaine dealing, which (in respect of many passages in it) might rather be called false and fraudulent. I forbear to speak of the man himself, because soon after the publishing of that Book, himself was called away out of the world to give account of his Book and whole life before the highest Judge. He was indeed himself not received into the Fellowship of the Church, for his professed Errors: as 1 That the Antichrist described in the Revelation was not yet come, nor any part of that Prophesie yet fulfilled from the 4. chapter to the end. 2. That the Apostolick function was not yet ceased: but that there still ought to be such, who should by their transcendent authority govern al Churches. To reclaim him from these Errors, he was seriously dealt withall both in conference, and (according to his desire) in writing. But when hee saw, he could not defend the latter. Error, but by building again the Bishops, against whom he had witnessed (as he said) in soliciting the cause of Mr. Prynne, he rather then he would revoke his present tenent, acknowledged he was then in an Error, when he took part with Mr. Prynne, & Mr. Burton, & therefore he would now return to England again, to reduce those famous witnesses from the Error of their way. And accordingly, away he went: but see the wise hand of God disappointing his ends; When he came to England the Bishops were falling, so that he lost his friends, and hopes both in Old-England and New: yet put out his Book (such as it is) and soon after dyed. By the way, let no man think, he was kept out of our Churches, for maintaining the authority of Bishops. For we have in our Churches some well respected Brethren, who doe indifferently allow either Episcopall, or Prebyteriall, or Congregationall