His forced flight from Boston to London for his safety, from pursuit of the pursuivants sent to apprehend him, I well remember: and admire the special providence of God towards my self and some others in it, amongst whom safe retirement and hiding places were, provided for him, in and about London. For some of us agreed together to improve that opportunity for a conference with him, about the grounds of his judgment and practice, whereby the Church was in danger to be deprived of him, and of the benefit of his precious gifts, hoping that God might bless the same, for the communicating of further light, either to him or to us. Two points were the principal subject of our discourse.
1. Touching the limitation of Church-power, to matters commanded, not to things different
2. Touching the office of Bishops, whether the Scripture-Bishops be appointed to rule a diocese, or a particular Congregation. The discussing of these caused much debate between us, about the meaning and extent of the second Commandment both in the negative […] the affirmative part of it, and a diligent examination of what had been Printed, in defence of conformity to the ceremonies imposed, viz. Mr Wheatlies arguments in his Care-cloth, Mr Byfelds on 1 Pet. 2. 13. and others, with such arguments ⟨p. 33⟩as were either produced, or invented, and urged by any of our selves: Unto all which he answered with great evidence of Scripture light, composedness of mind, mildness of Spirit, constant adhering to his principles, and keeping them unshaken, and himself from varying from them by any thing spoken ad oppositum. When I observed, that all this he did not in speech only, but also in sundry writings (the Copies whereof I have) without the help of any book but the Scriptures, wherein he was mighty; and yet matters that required variety of reading, whether for confirmation of the truth, or confutation of the contrary, fell frequently into discourse inter parts; I admired Gods presence with him, and assistance of him, quickening his apprehension, and invention, strengthening his memory, composing his mind, and governing his Spirit far beyond what I had taken notice of any man before him.
His forced flight from Boston to London for his safety, from persuit of the pursevants sent to apprehend him, I well remember: and admire the special providence of God towards my self and some others in it, amongst whom safe retirement and hiding places were, provided for him, in and about London. For some of us agreed together to improve that opportunity for a conference with him, about the grounds of his judgment and practice, whereby the Church was in danger to be deprived of him, and of the benefit of his precious gifts, hoping that God might blesse the same, for the communicating of further light, either to him or to us. Two points were the principal subject of our discourse.
1. Touching the limitation of Church-power, to matters commanded, not to things different
2. Touching the office of Bishops, whether the Scripture-Bishops be appointed to rule a diocesse, or a particular Congregation. The discussing of these caused much debate between us, about the meaning and extent of the second Commandment both in the negative 〈…〉 the affirmative part of it, and a diligent examination of what had been Printed, in defence of conformity to the ceremonies imposed, viz. Mr Wheatlies arguments in his Care-cloth, Mr Byfelds on 1 Pet. 2. 13. and others, with such arguments ⟨p. 33⟩as were either produced, or invented, and urged by any of our selves: Unto all which he answered with great evidence of Scripture light, composedness of mind, mildness of Spirit, constant adhering to his principles, and keeping them unshaken, and himself from varying from them by any thing spoken ad oppositum. When I observed, that all this he did not in speech only, but also in sundry writings (the Copies whereof I have) without the help of any book but the Scriptures, wherein he was mighty; and yet matters that required variety of reading, whether for confirmation of the truth, or confutation of the contrary, fell frequently into discourse inter partes; I admired Gods presence with him, and assistance of him, quickening his apprehension, and invention, strengthening his memory, composing his mind, and governing his Spirit far beyond what I had taken notice of any man before him.
