That there was such an Order in things relating to the worship of God established by the Law of the Land,1 in and over the people thereof, that the worship pleaded for was confirmed by the same Law, that the Rulers mentioned had power, being by the Magistrate assembled to make Rules and Canons to become binding to the good people of the Common wealth, when confirmed by the supreme Authority of the Nation, and not else; that penalties were appointed to the disturbers of this Order by the same Law, I grant. But that any thing of all this, as such, that is, as a part of this whole, or the whole it self, was instituted by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ, that is denied. Let not any one think, that because we deny the constitution pleaded about, to have had the stamp of the Authority of Jesus Christ that therefore we pulled it down and destroyed ⟨p. 239⟩it by violence. It was set up before we were borne, by them who had power to make Laws to bind the People of this Nation, and we found men in an orderly legal possession of that power, which exerting its self several ways, maintained and preserved that constitution, which we had no call to eradicate. Only whereas they took upon them to act in the name of Christ also, and to interpose their orders, and Authority in the things of the worship of God, we entreated them, that we might pass our pilgrimage quietly in our native Country (as Israel would have gone through the Land of Edonie, without the disturbance of its inhabitants) and worship God according to the light which he had graciously imparted to us, but they would not hearken. But herein also was it our duty to keep the word of Christs patience. Their removal, and the Dissolution of this National Church, arose, and was carried on, as hath been declared, by other hands, on other accounts.
That there was such an Order in things relating to the worship of God established by the Law of the Land,1 in and over the people thereof, that the worship pleaded for was confirmed by the same Law, that the Rulers mentioned had power, being by the Magistrate assembled to make Rules and Canons to become binding to the good people of the Common wealth, when confirmed by the supreame A•thority of the Nation, and not else; that penaltys were appointed to the disturbers of this Order by the same Law, I grant. But that any thing of all this, as such, that is, as a part of this whole, or the whole it selfe, was instituted by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ, that is denyed. Let not any one think, that because we deny the constitution pleaded about, to have had the stamp of the Authority of Iesus Christ that therefore we pulled it down and destroyed ⟨p. 239⟩it by violence. It was set up before we were borne, by them who had power to make Laws to bind the People of this Nation, and we found men in an orderly legall possession of that power, which exerting its selfe severall wayes, maintained and preserved that constitution, which we had no call to eradicate. Only whereas they tooke upon them to act in the name of Christ also, and to interpose their orders, and Authority in the things of the worship of God, we entreated them, that we might passe our pilgrimage quietly in our native Country (as Israel would have gone through the Land of Edonie, without the disturbance of its inhabitants) and worship God acording to the light which he had gratiously imparted to us, but they would not hearken. But herein also was it our duty to keep the word of Christs patience. Their removall, and the Dissolution of this Nationall Church, arose, and was carryed on, as hath been declared, by other hands, on other acounts.
- 1§. 22.
