I fhall now examine the Conduct of that factious Crew of Wolves in Sheeps Cloathing, who under a Pretence of Religion deftroy'd that very Authority by which it was fupported; and, under Difguife, thought they might efcape the Cenfure of being reckon'd Enemies to the Church by fiding with Bishop Abbot, whofe Misfortunes were drawn upon him, by not difcerning their Hypocrify; and in King Charles the First's Time, notwithstanding their continual Clamour and Outcry for the Prefervation of their Religion, and ferving of the Lord, they had no other Deligns in View but to ufurp themfelves into an Etablifhment; and to whom may be juftly applied that Remark of the judicious Mr. Bayle, Thefe Men defired at firft a mere Toleration, but in a little Time they pretended to fhare with us all Employments and Places of Truft; at first they thought themfelves very happy in the peaceable Enjoyment of their Lives and Fortunes; afterwards, when they had got to fome Head, they were very unhappy if they had fewer Privileges than the establifh'd Church; and then again miferable, if they were hot the prevailing Party. During a certain Time they were like Caefar, who would have no Mafter; and at laft they copied Pompey's Example, who would have no Partner. To which Degree they did at length arrive, and how they behaved themfelves under their fhort-lived and tyrannical Ufurpation, fhall be my next Bufineis to examine."

1

As a Specimen of their Chriftian Moderation and Temper, I thall firft produce a fevere Edict againt Toleration, and without any other Reflection leave them to chew upon the Cud of their own Understanding, and foberly to weigh and determine if they can think themselves now mifufed, fince I here make their own Actions both Judge and Jury in the Cafe.

A LETTER of the Minifters of the City of LONDON, prefented the Firft of JANUARY, 1645, to the Reverend Affembly of Divines fitting at WESTMINSTER, by Authority of Parliament, against TOLERATION.

To our Reverend, Learned, and Religious Brethren, the Prolocutor, and the rest of the Divines affembled, now fitting at Westminster, by Authority of Parliament, thefe prefent.

Reverend and Beloved Brethren,

W

E are exceeding apprehenfive of the Defireableness of the Church's Peace, and of the Pleafantnefs of Brethrens Unity, knowing that when Peace is fet upon its proper Bafis, viz. Righteousness and Truth, it is one of the beft Poffeffions, both delectable and profitable; like Aaron's Ointment, and the Dew of Hermon. It is true, by reafon of different Lights, and different Sights among Brethren, there may be diffenting in Opinion; yet, why should there be any feparating from Church Communion?

The

The Church's Coat may be of divers Colours; yet, why fhould there be any Rent in it? Have we not a Touchstone of Truth, the good Word of God? And when all Things are examined by this Word, then that which is best may be held faft; but first, they must be known, and then examined afterwards. If our diffenting Brethren, after so many importunate Intreaties, would have been perfuaded (either in Zeal to the Truth, or in fincere Love to the Church's Peace and Unity among Brethren, or in Respect to their own Reputation, by fair and ingenuous Dealing, or in Confcience to their Promife made to the Ministers of London, now five Years fince, or any fuch-like reasonable Contideration) at last, to have given us a full Narrative of their Opinions, and Grounds of their Separation; we are perfuaded, they would not have ftood at fuch a Distance from us, as they now do: But they chofe rather to walk by their own private Lights, than to unbofom themfelves to us, their moft affectionate Brethren, and to fet themselves in an untrodden Way of their own, rather than to wait what our covenanted Reformation, according to the Word of God, and Examples of the best reform'd Churches, would bring forth. But the Offence doth not end here; it is much that our Brethren fhould feparate from the Church, but that they should endeavour to get a Warrant to authorize their Separation from it, and to have Liberty (by drawing Members out of it) to weaken and diminish it, till (fo far as lies in them) they have brought it to nothing, this we think to be plainly unlawful; yet this, we understand, is their prefent Delign and Endeavour. Wherefore (Reverend Brethren) having had fuch large Experience of your Zeal of God's Glory, your Care of his afflicted Church, your earnest En-, deavours to promote the compleat Reformation of it, and of your ready Concurrence with us in the Improvement of any Means that might be found conducible to this End; we are bold to hint unto you thefe our enfuing Reafons, against the Toleration of Independency in this Church.

I. The Defires and Endeavours of a Toleration for Independency are, at this Time, extremely unfeasonable and prepofterous; for,

1. The Reformation of Religion is not yet perfected and fettled among us, according to our Covenant. And why may not the Reformation be raifed up, at laft, to fuch Purity and Perfection, that truly tender Confciences may receive abundant Satisfaction, for aught that yet appears?

2. It is not yet known, what the Government of the Independents is, neither would they ever yet vouchfafe to let the World know what they hold in that Point, though fome of their Party have been too forward to challenge the London Petitioners, as led with blind Obedience, and pinning their Souls upon the Prieft's Sleeve, for defiring an Etablishment of the Government of Chrift, be fore there was any Model of it extant.

3. We can hardly be perfuaded, that the Independents themselves (after all the Stirs they have made amongst us) are, as yet, fully refolved about their own Way, wherewith they would be concluded, feeing they publifh not their Model, (though they are nimble enough in publishing other Things) and profels Referves, and new Lights, for which they will (no Doubt) expect the like Tole

ration,

ration, and so in infinitum. It were more feasonable to move for Toleration, when once they are positively determined how far they mean to go, and where they mean to ftay.

II. Their Defires and Endeavours are unreasonable and unequal, in divers Regards.

1. Partly, because no fuch Toleration hath hitherto been establish'd (as far as we know) in any Chriftian State, by the Civil Magistrate.

2. Partly, because fome of them have folemnly profefs'd, that they cannot fuffer Prefbytery: And answerable hereunto is their Practice, in thofe Places where Independency prevails.

3. And, partly, because to grant to them, and not to other Sectaries, who are free-born as well as they, and have done as good Service as they, to the Publick (as they used to plead) will be counted Injuftice and great Partiality; but to grant it unto all will scarce be clear'd from great Impiety.

III. Independency is a Schifm; for,

1. Independents do depart from our Churches, being true Churches, and fo acknowledged by themselves.

2. They draw and feduce our Members from our Congregations.

3. They erect feparate Congregations, under a feparate and undifcover'd Go

vernment,

4. They refufe Communion with our Churches, in the Sacraments.

5. Their Minifters refuse to preach among us as Officers.

6. Their Members, if at any Time they join with us, in hearing the Word and Prayer, yet they do it not as with the ministerial Word and Prayer, nor as Acts of Church Communion,

Now we judge that no Schifm is to be tolerated in the Church; *oxiomatą, Cor. i. 10. 1 Cor. xii. 25. † xoracías, Rom. vi. 17. with 1 Cor. iii. 3. Gal. v. 20.

IV. Many Mischiefs will inevitably follow upon this Toleration, and thạt both to Church and Commonwealth.

First, To the Church; as,

1. Causeless and unjuft Revolts from our Miniftry and Congregations.

2. Our People's Minds will be troubled, and in Danger to be fubverted, as Ats xv. 24.

3. Bitter Heart-burnings among Brethren will be fomented and perpetuated to Pofterity.

4. The godly, painful and orthodox Ministry, will be difcouraged and defpifed.

* Schifm. + Divifions.

5. The

5. The Life and Power of Godliness will be eaten out by frivolous Difputes and vain Janglings.

6. The whole Course of Religion, in private Families, will be interrupted and undermined.

7. Reciprocal Duties, between Perfons of nearest and dearest Relations, will be extremely violated.

8. The whole Work of Reformation, especially in Difcipline and Government, will be retarded, difturbed, and in Danger of being made utterly frustrate and void, whilft every Perfon fhall have Liberty, upon every trivial Difcontent at Prefbyterial Government and Churches, to revolt from us, and lift themselves in feparated Congregations.

9. All other Seats and Herefies in the Kingdom will be encouraged to endeavour the like Toleration.

10. All other Sects and Herefies in the Kingdom will fafe-guard and fhelter themselves under the Wings of Independency; and fome of the Independents, in their Books, have openly avow'd, that they plead for Liberty of Confcience as well for others as themselves.

11. And the whole Church of England, in fhort time, will be swallow'd up with Distraction and Confufion: And, God is not the Author of Confufion, but of Peace, 1 Cor. xiv. 33.

Secondly, To the Commonwealth. For,

nonwe

1. All these Mischiefs in the Church will have their proportionable Influence upon the Commonwealth.

2. The Kingdom will be woefully weaken'd by Scandals and Divifions; fo that the Enemies of it, both domeftical and foreign, will be encouraged to plot and practise against it.

3. It is much to be doubted, left the Power of the Magiftrate should not only be weaken'd, but even utterly overthrown, confidering the Principles and Practices of Independents, together with their Compliance with other Sectaries, fufficiently known to be Anti-Magistratical.

V. Such a Toleration is utterly repugnant and inconfiftent with that Solemn League and Covenant, for Reformation, and Defence of Religion, which not only both Houses of Parliament, but also Perfons of all Sorts in both Kingdoms of England and Scotland, have fubfcribed, and with Hands lifted up to the most high God, have fworn: Which Covenant, likewife, both you and we, and thofe that moft earnestly pursue the Establishment of this Toleration, have made (or fhould have made) in Prefence of Almighty God, the Searcher of all Hearts, with a true Intention to perform the fame, as we fhall answer at that great Day, when the Secrets of all Hearts shall be dif clofed. For,

1. This is oppofite to the Reformation of Religion, according to the Word of God, and the Example of the best reform'd Churches, Article 1.

2. It is destructive to the three Kingdoms nearest Conjunction, and Uniformity in Religion and Government, which might lead us and our Pofterity after us, as Brethren, to live in Faith and Love, Art. 1.

3. It

3. It is plainly contrary to that Extirpation of Schifm, and whatsoevr fhall be found contrary to found Doctrine, and the Power of Godliness, which we have fworn fincerely, really, and conftantly to endeavour, without Refpect of Perfons, Art. 2.

4. Hereby we shall be involved in the Guilt of other Men's Sins, and thereby be endanger'd to receive of their Plagues, Art. 2.

5. It seems utterly impoffible (if fuch Toleration fhould be granted) that the Lord fhould be one, and his Name one, in the three Kingdoms, Art. 2.

6. This will palpably hinder the Reformation of Religion; inevitably divide one Kingdom from another; and unhappily make Factions and Parties among the People, contrary to this League and Covenant: Of which evil Offices, whofoever fhall be found guilty, are reputed, in the Words of the Covenant, Incendiaries, Malignants, or evil Inftruments, to be difcover'd, that they may be brought to publick Trial, and receive condign Punishment, Art. 4. and 5.

These are some of the many Confiderations, which make deep Impreffion upon our Spirits against that great Diana of Independents, and all the Sectaries, fo much cry'd up by them, in thefe diftracted Times; viz. A Toleration, a Toleration. And, however, none should have more rejoiced than ourselves, in the Establishment of a brotherly, peaceable, and Chriftian Accommodation; yet, this being utterly rejected by them, we cannot diffemble, how, upon the foremention'd Grounds, we deteft and abbor the much endeavour'd Toleration. Our Bowels, our Bowels are stir'd within us; and we could even drown ourselves in Tears, when we call to mind, how long and sharp a Travel this Kingdom hath been in, for many Years together, to bring forth that bleffed Fruit of a pure and perfect Reformation: And now, at laft, after all our Pangs, Dolours, and Expectations, this real and thorough Reformation is in Danger of being ftrangled in the Birth, by a lawless Toleration, that strives to be brought forth before it.

Wherefore (Reverend and Beloved Brethren) we could not fatisfy ourselves, till we had made fome Discovery of our Thoughts unto you about this Matter; not that we can harbour the leaft Jealoufy of your Zeal, Fidelity or Industry, in the oppofing and extirpating of fuch a Root of Gall and Bitterness, as Toleration is, and will be, both in prefent and future Ages, but that we may, what lies in us, endeavour mutually to ftrengthen one another's Refolutions against the prefent growing Evils; and that our Confciences may not fmite us another Day for finful Silence, or fluggish Deficiency in any Point of Duty tending to the Glory of Chrift, Honour of the Truth, Peace of the Church, Perfection of Reformation, Performance of our Covenant, and Benefit of prefent and fucceeding Generations.

From Sion-College,

London, Dec. 18, 1645.

Subfcribed by us,

Your affectionate Brethren, and Fellow-Labourers in the Work of the Miniftry, to whom Truth and Peace is very. precious.

The foregoing Manifefto, Sir, is a fufficient Demonftration of the Behaviour of thofe Sectaries, who ever, when in Power, put in Practice the very Reverse

of