A letter to the author of the pamphlet called An answer [sic] to the…A letter to the author of the pamphlet called An answeer [sic] to the…

With regard to that Objection that we make against the Method taken by Springfield Church, and their Council, viz That it makes void all Endeavours any Ministers can use to hinder the settling of heterodox Ministers, and to prevent the Growth of Error in the Country; and that it opens a Door for the letting in of Error into ⟨p. 42⟩the Country, because if there be any Objection against a Candidate, or like to be any Difficulty on any such Account, he can go where he will for his Judges: In answer to it you say, you are persuaded that the Care of Councils, respecting this Matter, is like to be as thorough and effectual as that of Associations. Just as if you supposed, that the Thing in Dispute was, which was most likely to take thorough Care, Councils or Associations; whereas we don't so much as mention it, nor has this the least Relation to the Objection we make, which is exceeding fully and plainly declared to be this, that the giving a Man this Liberty of going where he will for his Judges, opens a Door for the letting in of Error, which is so plain that it needs no arguing upon to prove it; you and every Body must know it to be so at first Sight: And what is it to the Purpose to say, in answer to this Objection, as you do once and again, Page 46, and Page 96, that you have taken thorough Care, and if other Councils will take as much Care as you have done, there will be no such Door opened? Does it follow, that because, in a particular Instance, a Council chosen agreeable to such a Custom, have been faithful, that therefore the Custom it self opens no Door to Error: If it were the Custom to allow Persons accused of Theft to choose their own Judges, would it follow, that this Custom don't open a Door for the Increase of Theft and Robbery, because it has once so happened that Judges Chosen by a Person accused of such a Crime, but was indeed innocent (as you suppose in this Case) have been faithful and upright in their Judgment.

With regard to that Objection that we make against the Method taken by Springfield Church, and their Council, viz That it makes void all Endeavours any Ministers can use to hinder the settling of heterdox Ministers, and to prevent the Growth of Error in the Country; and that it opens a Door for the letting in of Error into ⟨p. 42⟩the Country, because if there be any Objection against a Candidate, or like to be any Difficulty on any such Account, he can go where he will for his Judges: In answer to it you say, you are perswaded that the Care of Councils, respecting this Matter, is like to be as thorough and effectual as that of Associations. Just as if you supposed, that the Thing in Dispute was, which was most likely to take thorough Care, Councils or Associations; whereas we don't so much as mention it, nor has this the least Relation to the Objection we make, which is exceeding fully and plainly declared to be this, that the giving a Man this Liberty of going where he will for his Judges, opens a Door for the letting in of Error, which is so plain that it needs no arguing upon to prove it; you and every Body must know it to be so at first Sight: And what is it to the Purpose to say, in answer to this Objection, as you do once and again, Page 46, and Page 96, that you have taken thorough Care, and if other Councils will take as much Care as you have done, there will be no such Door opened? Does it follow, that because, in a particular Instance, a Council chosen agreeable to such a Custom, have been faithful, that therefore the Custom it self opens no Door to Error: If it were the Custom to allow Persons accused of Theft to chuse their own Judges, would it follow, that this Custom don't open a Door for the Increase of Theft and Robbery, because it has once so happend that Judges Chosen by a Person accused of such a Crime, but was indeed innocent (as you suppose in this Case) have been faithful and upright in their Judgment.