But when he saith, I minded no more then the Old Non-Conformity whilst I abode in England, he must be more privy to my mind then any mortal man is, and then my self too, to make it good. There were some scores of godly persons in Boston in Lincoln-shire, (whereof some are there still, and some here, and some are fallen asleep) who can witness, that we entered into a Covenant with the Lord, and one with another, to follow after the Lord in the purity of his Worship; which though it was defective, yet it was more then the Old Non-conformity. Besides, I had then learned of Mr. Parker, and Mr. Baynes, (and soon after of Dr. Ames) that the Ministers of Christ, and the Keys of the Government of his Church are given to each particular Congregational Church respectively: And therefore neither Ministers nor Congregations subject to the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Cathedral Churches, no, nor of Classical Assemblies neither, but by voluntary consociation, and that in some cases; and those falling short of that which is properly called subjection to their Jurisdiction. Which made me then to mind not only a neglect of the censures of Commissary Courts, (which bred not a little offence to them, and disturbance to my self) but also to breath after greater liberty and purity not only of Gods Worship, but of Church estate. But suppose that I had then minded no more then the Old way of Non-conformity: yet the experience of the Godly will easily acknowledge, that the way of the Lord is light and strength to the upright, and giveth more and more understanding and enlargement to them that walk in it.
But when he saith, I minded no more then the Old Non-Conformity whilst I abode in England, he must be more privie to my mind then any mortall man is, and then my self too, to make it good. There were some scores of godly persons in Boston in Lincoln-shire, (whereof some are there still, and some here, and some are fallen asleep) who can witnesse, that we entred into a Covenant with the Lord, and one with another, to follow after the Lord in the purity of his Worship; which though it was defective, yet it was more then the Old Non-conformity. Besides, I had then learned of Mr. Parker, and Mr. Baynes, (and soon after of Dr. Ames) that the Ministers of Christ, and the Keyes of the Government of his Church are given to each particular Congregationall Church respectively: And therefore neither Ministers nor Congregations subject to the Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction of Cathedrall Churches, no, nor of Classicall Assemblies neither, but by voluntary consociation, and that in some cases; and those falling short of that which is properly called subjection to their Jurisdiction. Which made mee then to mind not onely a neglect of the censures of Commissary Courts, (which bred not a little offence to them, and disturbance to my self) but also to breath after greater lib•rty and purity not onely of Gods Worship, but of Church estate. But suppose that I had then minded no more then the Old way of Non-conformity: yet the experience of the Godly will easily acknowledge, that the way of the Lord is light and strength to the upright, and giveth more and more understanding and enlargement to them that walk in it.
