Two discourses showing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of…Two discourses shewing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of…

I fully believe that the Congregational Way, is the highest step that has been taken towards Reformation, and for the Substance of it, it is the very same way, that was Established and Practised in the Primitive Times, according to the Institution of Jesus Christ. I must needs say, I should Look upon it as a sad Degeneracy, if we should leave the Good Old Way, so far as to turn Councils and Synods into Classes and Provincial Assemblies, &c. Thus Mr. Oaks, my Dear Friend and Worthy Predecessor in the Presidentship of the College in Cambridge. It was a Mercy to all the Churches in New-England, when that Excellent Man was the President, who being Dead yet Speaks.

I fully believe that the Congregational Way, is the highest step that has been taken towards Reformation, and for the Substance of it, it is the very same way, that was Establish'd and Practised in the Primitive Times, according to the Institution of Jesus Christ. I must needs say, I should Look upon it as a sad Degeneracy, if we should leave the Good Old Way, so far as to turn Councils and Synods into Classes and Provincial Assemblies, &c. Thus Mr. Oakes, my Dear Friend and Worthy Predecessor in the Presidentship of the College in Cambridge. It was a Mercy to all the Churches in New-England, when that Excellent Man was the President, who being Dead yet Speaks.

IT must be acknowledged, that controversies about Church Government, and Ecclesiastical Administrations, are not Fundamentals in Religion. There are among Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Antipedobaptists, as well as among Congregationals, Many Godly Men. Such notwithstanding their different persuasions may hold Communion together in all the Ordinances of the Gospel. Nevertheless, they cannot all in things wherein they differ, have Truth on their side, nor may they part with any Truth. Sell it not. When some would be compounding for the Truth, Luther Spoke like himself, ⟨p. viii⟩in saying, Potius pereat Caelum quam una mica veritatis, the Heavens shall sooner fall than we will part with one crumb of Truth. Although Brotherly Communion may and should be maintained among those Differing Persuasions, nevertheless, if any among us shall set themselves to introduce Episcopacy, Antipedobaptism, or Presbyterianism, to the Disturbance of the Churches of Christ, I believe the Man that shall withstand them will do an Acceptable Service to God. If the Congregational Way is the Way of Truth, the departing from it in New-England, will be a greater Sin and Provocation to God, than in any other part of the World, where the Light has not shined in such clearness as here it has done. The thought of this, in consideration with the Expectation I have of being called hence suddenly, has induced me to take hold of this Opportunity (least I should not have another) of bearing […] Testimony against Innovations, which I plainly foresee e like to break in upon these Churches like a Flood. I trust that when I am gone, CHRIST will raise up others of greater Learning and Judgment than any thing that I pretend unto that shall defend His Truth, and do greater […] for this People than. I have been able to do for them. Councils when duly called, ought to be Revered, as an Ordinance of CHRIST, which the very Light of Nature directs unto. It was an Error in Nazianzene, who because he observed, that in his Time, when there began to be a Defection and Declension from Primitive Purity, many Councils did more hurt than good, took up a Prejudice against all Councils whatsoever. I wish that none among us may do so.