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A NEW
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CATECHISM.
WITH
Dr. HICKES's Thirty Nine Articles.
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(iii)
THE
PREFACE.
NOTHING can be more -unaccomtahle than that fo many Ecclefafiich floud every where fo indufirioujly infufe Jealow fys into the People^ of the great Danger the Church of England lies under ^ notwithfiandwg Jlw is guarded by fo m^ny Laws^ defended by ^ mojt nU' merous Clergy^ fuf ported by immetife RevemteSy the al~ moft infuperable Prejudices of Education chiefly in her Favour j proted:ed by a mofl religious Oncen^ who has nothing more at heart than the Churches real Interefl : and all the Englifll Officers both Civil and Aiilitary^ except perhaps a very few of the meaner forty wholly oj' her Communion'
The Toleration has in a great meafure taken o^ the Diffenters Prejudices to the Church *, and they begin to think that the trifling DijJcrcn^cSy which arc between them and the Church-, do not deferve the Expence of maintaining fcparatc Meetings and Aiiniflcrs : and^tii 7JotoriouSy that thofe Familys of the Nobility and Gen' tryy that were formerly Dijfenters, are now come into the Church '■, and that thoje few of the Trading fort, who are capable ofbejlowmg a UberAl Education on their
A 2 Children^
( iO
ChUdren't do generally breed them vp in the Church of England. So that nothing feems more certain^ than that the Dijfentitig Jnterefiy which is at prefent fo very inconjiderahUf mvfi in time be inevitably reduced to nought^ if the furious Zeal and perfecuting Temper of fame hot-headed Bigots do not prevent it^ by reviving old, and creating new Prejudices.
It cant be doubted but that the ConduB of fuch Jilcn is the fole reafon why the Separation has conti- nud fo long \ fince we fee that in all Places where there is a Moderate, or in other words, a Low-Church Mi- nifter, his gentle and Cljriflian Behaviour by degrees wins the Dijfenters over to the Church: but if he be fuc ceeded by a High-Churchman, his bitter Vncharitahle^ nefs and nnchriflian ConduEt drives Men from the Church, and foon occafions the Meeting-Houfe to be fll''d again. And whoever confiders the Nature of Aien, muft needs fee that fuch violent Spirits as Sa-
c 1, M— I — rn, H — gg — ns, &c. are tht
befi Friends, and the greateft Support the Conventicles have.
And nothing can make the dijferent SeEls of Diffen^ ters combine againfi the Church of England, but the danger of having their religious Libertys taken away by thefe profefs*d Enemys of Toleration. As long as they are fecure of them, they mufi think it their In- tereft to defend both the Church and State, by which they are fo indulged ', ^tis that which makes fome Afefi, who are inrag*d to fee their prudent and peace- hie Condu^ as well as Zeal for the prefent Eftablifli" ment, take fuch unjufiifiable Methods of dealhg with them.
The Holy Fathers thought the Churches great efi Danger to flow from the prodigious Riches that came tumbling into her on all hands, as foon as by the Laws of the Empire file was capable of accjuiring Pojfejfions. And one who did not know thefe Gentlemen would be apt to think
they
they apprehended the Church to he in darger^ by her Afajcfiy''s generoujly farting rtith her Fir Ji- Fruits und Tenths to the Clergy, and by the Repeal of the Statute of Mortmain (rvhich Statute alone in the Popijit times hindered the Church from getting all the Lands of Eng- land into their hands') feeing the greatefl Outcry of the Churches Danger has been jiuce that timet
But their mofi ungratefully making the Church to be in dagger from her Aiajejly's Adminijlration^ is net mors furprming^ than their fuppcfmg the B.^)ops to be in x Plot to bring in Presbytery i while at the fame time they exclaim againfi them for being too much BljhvpSy in not humbly condefcendin? to a^ upon a Level or Presbyte- rian Parity with the Lower Houfe of Convocation^ who claim a co-ordinate and equal Power with them in the fupreme A^s of Church- Legtf.ation^ from wlich all the wferior Powers in the Church mufl be derived. And if there be a Presbytct in the Church of England that will not come into the fe Notions-, let him write with the utmofl Force Again fl Presbytery^ as ^tis mofi evident Mr. Hoadly has done., yet they will net fcruple to pcrfuade the Alvb^ that he is as errant a Presbyterian as Dr. Burgefs.
This IS much of a piece with their reprefentirg the Whigs as Republicans., and at the fame time ra.ling at them for oppofng all the Laws made fince the Revolu- tion which limit the Prerogative. And as little ground have they to charge the I'Vhigs with Presbyterian of with Republican Principles j vnlefs they nill fuppofe that the defending the Rights., Privileges and Powers of the Piflwps againft the Presbyters (I had almofi fiid Pnf- iyterians) of the Lower Houfe of Convocation., be 4 Proof of it. But in fome Mens Opinion., their vot-^ it7ff for the Rights of the Fpifcopal See of Carlilk, in the Difpute between the Bijhop and the Dean, was e-' nough to make them rank Prcsiyten,insy and tlofe that di^cr^d from them fl*nch Church win. And J may
a defy
(vi)
defy thefe Gentlemen^ rvho reprefem the Church to b fin danger from the IVhigs^ to name any one Acl ever fincc the Revolution^ which as often as they had power in their hands^ they have done in prejudice of the Church '-, tho thty have been infirumental in pajfing feveral Laws in favour of the Churchy as thofe for the more eafy Recovery of Tithes.^ &C. But if nothing can make them true Churchmen^ except lifiing themfelves under fuch Perfons as a^ed in the High Commijfion Court^ which was fet tip with no other Defign than to defiroy the Church of England, then indeed I -am afraid they will not deferve that CharaUer.
If thefe Gentlemen woiid fpeak out^ they woiid fay that the Whigs had endanger d the Churchy by having been fo iiijlrumental in pajfing Laws^ which not only eX" elude frcm the Crown for ever all Papifis^ and Per" fans tnanfd to Papifis^ but ahfolve the Subjctis from their Allegiance^ if any fuch Jljoud ever happen to get into the Throncy and enjoin ^em to abjure the Pretender^ and fwear to the Prutejlant Succejjlon. ^Tis the IVhigs appearing fo hearty in forcing the grand Enemy of the Prctcflant Religion humbly to fue for a Peace, which has given thefe Men fo melancholy a ProfpeU.y that they have redoubled their Cry of the Danger of theChiirch, and taken all other Alethods to i?iCourage the French King to go on with the War.
This Pannick of the Danger of the Church is as un- accountable, as that which a handful of Iriill earned at the Revolution' And when People recover their Senfes, and coolly confider of things, it rnvji lead them to ex- ' amine, whether thofe A4en woiid have ventur'*d to ajjert fo notoriota a Faljhoad, after the 7?jofi fjlemn manner, and in the mofi facred Places, had they not the Vndcrj^ an dings of the Multitude in the utmofi Contempt ', and concluded, they cotfd fo inflayne them, as to be able in this critical ■Junfiure to bring about th^ir dark Defigns before they coud be deleted.
When
( vii )
When Men "knowingly raife a falfe ALtrm of th^ Danger of the Churchy from a Quarter from rvhich no Danger can he juftly apprehended^ "'tis a Detnonjlrraion that they mean no good to the Church themfelvss^ but put People on a falfe Scent ^ to divert them from looking intn their Defigns of fubvertim^ the prefent Conflitution. And when we fee them maintaining with fo much Zeal the fame Principles that the Jacobites urge to jufiify their adhering to f/j? St. Gcrmains Family^ i?j oppofi- tion to the prefent Government and Protefiant Succejfion^ and joining with the Papifis and Jacobites in ail fuch things^ as tend to clog the Wheels of th; Adminiflra- tion^ and to divide' and roeaken tis both Abroad and at Home : What can toe conclude^ hut that they are in' fiuenc^d by the fame Spirit, and carry on the fame In- ter efi and Dejigns ? tho if there be any difference y ^tis that the former fiew a more implacable A4alice to the prefent Settlement.
If the Principles of Dr. SacheverellV Sermons k<;d been followed at the time of the Revolutiotj^ nothing can be more evident than that the Protefiant Religion woud have been extirpated, and the whole Nation in- volv^din Popery and Slavery : and yet forfooth this Man, for the fake oftheje DoUrines,mufl be accounted the great Champiorn of the Church of England ', and the Houfe of Commons for impeachin(r him^ the Lords for trying him J and the Ouecn her fclf for jhewing the highcfi Approbation of their Proceedings, mufi be reprefented in a Plot to deflroy the Church : Nay, in the midfl of this Trial (where the Doctor had all the Freedom and Favour imaginable all orod him) a Aiob mufi be raised, i?f fpite of the Principles of Non-refifiance, to over^ awe the Supreme Judicature of the Nation, to infult their own Reprefentatives, to pull down Aiecting-Houfes', who had they not been timely fupprc/s^d, wou^d have proceeded to other more fatM Acts of Treafon and Re- bellion. Aid ytt after all this^ thefe A fen have the
a 2 AJfir*
( viii )
jiffuranceto wnintuin, they are far the prefint Cof?fll' tution both in Church and State.
Jf the Church of England has not fujferd. in any one Point (as I do not find 'tis attempted to be proved) by the Trial of Sacheverel, or the Condemnation of his Doc- trines • thefe Tumults^ the tifual forerunners of Civil IVar, which have been fet on foot -under pretence of the Churches danger., which violently fiake the Conftitution^ and Pieiv a flrange contempt of the whole Legijlature^ efpecially that Part which has always been efieem'd the great Bulwark of the Peoples Libertys : I fay^ thefe Tu" mutts can have no other meaning than a new Revolution in favour of the Popifh Pretender ; who that he may with fecurity deftroy the Churchy and enflave the Nation^ the People must be ftird up to AfutinySy becaufe the Su- preme Powers ficw fo great a. Regard to the Confiitution^ oi to declare it m^y be defended by other Arms than Pray- ers and Tears. Thefe Aien are guilty of fuch a Crime as is exceeded only by that of the jews of old, who rejec-^ ted God himfelf from reigning over *em, and deji/d a Saul in his fie ad.
None in the leaf acquainted with their Writings are ignorant^ that the Papifts themf elves cant have a grea- ter Auerfion than what thefe Msn upon all occafions pyew to that part of the Confiitution of the Church that re- lates to the Supremacy ; which was the ground the Re- form.itij!-' was built upon^ and the means by which it wascarry^d on^ and efteem^d till now the jufi Barrier between Popery and Fanaticifm.
The following Catechifm will abundantly Jhew-, that "'tis not the Religion of the Church of England they are, in pain for^ but a Religion of their own contriving^ made up of PnconffienceSy Treafon and Blafphemy^ and calculated to gratify their Pride, Ambition and Avarice.
^Twoud not be ft range if fuch <« Babel as this, not- withftanding the mighty Pains they have been at in
buildz
(ix)
huildlng it^ fliou*d he darjgeroujly jliuken hy fome late Books : but ^twoud be the greatejt Libel imaginahle on the whole Body of the Clergy to fuppofe^ they are not capable to defend the Church-, tho fiie is built on a Jioci, over which the Gates of Hell can never prevail^ againji a few odd Pajfages taken from Parfon Hickerin- gil, and fome fvch Writers. And if thefe worthy Divines did believe the Church in Danger from fuch Pajfages^ why did they republifij them in Sacheverer^ ColUElion ?
IVoud thefe Gentlemen he trfd hy the Maxim laid down hy Dr, Sache- Sermon preach'd verell. That Heterodoxy in the ^^^'l "JJ ^^^ Church naturally produces, andal- Danger of folfe moil neccflarily infers Rebellion Brethren, p.i7. and High Treafon in the States ^twou*d go very hard with them, fince the DoBor*s Trial will not make a Volume half fo large as the Hete- rodox Paffages which may be collet ed from their IVri^ tings. Tho this Catechifm is but a jJjort Specimen^ by which the Reader may judg of the reji ^ yet it is for the mofi part taken from thofe Authors whom they hold in the highefi f'^eneration, and upon no other account than for the fake of fuch Notions as are contained in thefe Pajfages.^
J cant hut think it a Service to our excellent Churchy to let the blind Adorers of this Faction fee what they are contending for ^ that they may dijlinguijjj the fu- rious and Popiflj Bigots from fober and moderate Churchmen, and the trcachcrom and falfe Brethren from fine ere and real Protejlants.
And J purpofcly omit fathering thefe ahfurd No- tions upon any Party^ becaufe I verily believe the greatefl part of thofe who clamour mojl m thefe Aicns favour-, are fo far from approving their Principles^ that they do riot know them : and J wijli they were as free from Prejudice, as J hope they are from Ccr- ruption^
I
( o
/ charge none with Conjequences-, hut have made ufe of their own Words-, which as they need no Comment to explain them^ are fo very ah fur d and profane., that the hare reciting them is the heji way of confuting them : And tho fame of the Citations are not originally theirs^ yet fincc they are quoted by them with Approbation^ and as Authoritys to ferve their purpofe^ they have made them their own., and therefore m.iy jufily he mentioned as fuch ^ and I think I have fairly reprefented their Senfe as well as their Words.
Ai for the Thirty nine Propofitions or Ij Pag. 263. Articles., they are not only cited in the
II Appendix to the Charafter of a Primi- tive Bifhop, as Dr. Hicks'/, and never contradicted by him. but the firfi four of them are fet down by the
Duftor himfelfy in his Preface * to liis two * Pdg. 5. Treatifes. And tho this Proof had been
wanting., yet the applying at leafi twenty times., inthefe Thirty nine Propofitions.^ the wordt So^ vcreign, Throne, Regal, Regent, Fidelity, Fealty, Dethroning, Crc to the Clergy., and writing the whole with the air of a Sovereign Pontiff", mujt induce every one., who is the leajt acquainted with the DoElor^s Wri- f;?7^, to concludiwhofe they are\ without the leafi- f^fpt- cion of For^c^y either in the loth or any other of the Articlts.^
A D FE R Tl S EM E NT.
la a few days will b^ publiilAl, A SPEECH ■without Doers.
A
(7)
A
New Catecbifm, Sec.
Qucft. yf^ ,*^ T HAT cat am Afarl^have vie of a Di-
v\
vine Revelation /
Anfw. A Contraa'iSion. For if ir be not a Revelation, it niuft be an Invention of foinc* or otlitr i but if it be a Contradiftion, it cou'd not be an Invention : for who cou'd invent a Contradiftion ? LellcyV SociniM Cm- tioverfy difcufs'd, Dial. I. p. 24.
Q; Notf> can you pove to Sccpticlis th.xt the Script kre k the Word of God f
A. By the Tejiimony of lying Spirits. For tlie Scepticks can do pretty well with Religion en fpeculative Princi- ples; but wlun a Proof is broui^ht from the Confe/Tion of tormented Spirits, this gauls them. Reeves'j VediCiHicn fi hit Apology s of the Anfietit hat hers, lately pnhUjh'd. Q. /fter rrhat jtutnner are the Sctiptkies ccvJiivd P A. The Scriptures are fo contrived by the Will of God, that they (hould afford Occaiions for lierelys. Hicks'j- A- pol. I'indic. of the Church of Engl. p. 6j.
Q. Is there nothing but Truth contain\{ in them Z A. There are Fictions in Divinity, which infinite Wif- dom has devis'd for our benefit and advantage. Hicks'j twa Treatijh, p. 69.
C^ \^'hat ii yourCpinim cf the Writings of the Prophets P A. Gol was plcas'd artificially to conceal many things In 'em, left Satan coming ro the knowiedg of 'em, (hou'd en- deavour to prevent or obrtrucl the fulfilling of Vm, or c- ncrvate the Certainty or Demonltration of 'cm after they were fulfil'd. Hicks's ApoU'ind.oJ ch.^j Hngl. f.dj. CJ, What was then kspt as a Secret jfnm the Deiil .<• A. The Virginity of .V47. [Ibid. J
Q; li'hat
(8)
Q^ What didtkey do under the Old Tejiament to obtain the Prophe* tick. Spirit /
j4. They made ufe of Wine, among other bodily Helps, to obtain the Piophetick Spirit. Dodw. de Jure Laic, Sa- cerd. p. 359.
Q. ii'hat are the proper means for mderjianding the Prophets .^
A. The Rules of the Heathen for interpreting their Di- vinations are the proper means for undcrftanding the Pro- pbecys, which wou'd have been for the moft part unintelli- gible without 'em. Dodvj eVs fecoud Letter about going into Orders.
(). li'hat Opinion have )ou of the Bool^ cj the Revelation ?
A. It is a myfterious, extraordinary, and of late much ftudiedBcok ; and which perhaps the more 'tis frudied, the lefs 'tisunderftood, as generally finding a Man crack'd, or making him fo. South'^ 6e)7w. vol. 2. p. 457.
Qj How came St. Paul to be for the Doilrineof Predejlination ?
A. He borrowed his Notion of it from the Pharisees,, with whom he was educated ; and they from the Stoic^s, Dodw. Pxolcg. ad J. Stern. &c. Se^. 41. p. 1A7.
(^. What Opinion have you of the Liturgy of the Church of Eng- land ?
A. Not a Tittle of it but was by the Diftate of the Holy Ghoft ; and I fhou^d think my feif accurs'd if I were not able to maintain it. Blame not my holy Zeal if I do vin- dicate that faving Book againft the Schilmaticks great'eft Ex- ceptions Certainly therefore bleffed are they which die
in maintaining that Service-Boo.k, which can without con- tradition father the very Ceremonys of it on the Holy Ghoft. Dr. Swadlin'j Serm. &c. p. 149.
Q. What Notion have you of God ?
A. That he is as it were the Pupil of the Clergy. Dod- welVi Vindic.of the Def of the deprivd BiJ};ops, §. 34.
H; What a mft true of God .■?
A. That which feems the moft impoflible to us. Beve- ,
ridgcV r/w,g/;^., p. 52. , .c, .T/p
Q. Why do you brlieve Cod to be infinitely nn rijul ? A. Bec-.uf^if he was not infinitely merciful, the Diljen^ tcrs crude affronting extemporary EtFufions, the Sacrifices of Fooh la the douale Stnfe of the Word, were f^fcienC to hlafr the Succefs of her Xlajefty's Arms, and obftrutt thofe Bleffinas God has beftow'd on her. Sacheverellx Rights of the CWc^qf England, in the KemarJ:/, p. 10.
O What thir\ you of the Diffenters ^ , . ' c
/? They are barden'd in their Sins beyond the Tower ot Grace and' Rei^entancc. iJiid. ^53.
Q. Vo you
(9)
Bleflings G%d has befto^M^yrher, on acVpuntof the crude atfrontingexHtfnpore E^Hi^ns of DifTente^. SacheverelV Rights of the Cm^h of^n^wAy p. lo.
Q. Do you believe the Dolhim of Original Sin ? A. Yes ; hecaufe I muft of neceffity believe it whether I will or no: forif I coU'd not: believe it:, I fhou'd have the more caufe to believe it. Bi/JjopBevendge'sThoughtsy p. 55. Q. What thinks you of the Incarnation Z A. It is as it were to cancel the eflfential Dillances of Things, to remove the Bounds of Nature, to bring Hea- ven and Earth, and which is more, both ends of 3 Contra- diction together : were it not to be ador'd as a Myftery, it wou'd be exploded as a Contradidion. South'/ Sermons^ Vol 5. i). 370, 3 Id.
Q. IVhat muji n>e thinly of God's EleElion or Choice ? A. God who judges what is good and bell unerringly, does not always chufe the bcft. Nye'i- Syftcm of Grace and Freewilly a Vifttat. Serm.
Q. Why did God chufe the Jews to be hii peculiar People P A. God feem'd to have efpous'd to himfclf the Jcwt, a crofs odd untoward (brt of People, upon the very fame ac- count that Socrates efpous'd Xantippe, only for her extreme ill Conditions, above all he cou'd polfibly find or pick out of their Sex. Sonth' s Serm. Vol. 1. p. 539. <^. Is uilual Mortality a Benefit .«'
A. Yes, but I do not allow the Benefit of aftual Morta- lity to any who have read Mr. Do(^»f/'s Book. Freliminary Defence of his Epi(\. Dijc. p. 14.
Q. Are rve to "jfer up Frayers for the Dead ? A. • There is the fame ground for thofe Prayers as for our common Chriftianity : We believe thofc Prayers are ac- cepted, which delire God to hear theSainrsfor us, to fend the Deceas'd in Chrift a "good Trial. '- The Patriarchs, Pro- phets, Apoftles, Martyrs, and even the bleiTed Virgin her felf, are now in Slivery to the Devil, and may be reliev'd by the Prayers of the Living from their Difqiiietudes. ' HicksV Appendix to his two Trsatifes, p. 293, £94. ' Dodwel'-f EpiJ}. Difcourfe^ p. 257, 258.
Q; What is the principal end ff the TnJlitHtion of the Sacrament of tt)e Lord's Supper ?
A. ThePrefervation of the Priefts Authority. The Re- ception of the Elements is no otherwife nccetfary to the Rcmilnonof Sins, than as it obliges us to depend on tl'C Confent of the Priefts, who alon? can fjve us thofe Ele- ments, and who alone caa oblige God to" ratify in Heaven what is tranfaded by them on Earth. DoJwel'j Premonition to hh Epiflol.iry Vi''cn:rl'(y p. 66.
B q Can
( JO)
Q. C.ffl the Prtefts then forgive Sins / ,
J. The Priefts have power not only tQ,»]fidg when we are clean, but to put away ouf Uncleaninefs : as Lords forgive Debts of Mony, fo they forgive Debts of Sin. "HicksV 2 TreatifeSy p. ii8, 209.
Q. Afay I be fav'd by the Mfolution of a Prkjl ?
A. Yes, Heaven it felf waits the Sentence from the Prieft's Mouth, and God himfelf follows the Judgment of his Servant the Prielt. SparrowV Sermon of Abjolut. p. 15.
Q. Can I think too highly of thU Power ?
A. All indifferent Judges muft prefer the Power of obliging God to open and (hut Heaven's Gates, before a thoufand Kingdoms. Dodwerjr Par&neftSy p. 222.
Q^ What other Power belongs to a Priefi /
A. Every Prieft is one of the principal Minifters in God*s Kingdom, to prefide in his Worfhip, 'publim his Laws, pafs his Pardons, and reprefent his Perfon. CoWkf s View oj the Immorality of the Stage, p. 127.
Q. What tf yoitr^ Notion of a Priefi ?
A, He is an Advocate, Mediator, Inter cefTor, Negotiator, Reprefentative, Vicegerent -, Mandatory Interpellant be- tween God and Man, in their fpiritual Addrefles to, and Negotiations one with another : he ftands and ads as Me- diator between both Paitys, as it were in the middle Line of Converfation, and in the very Center of Communication between them -, he is, properly fpeaking, Moul le gnam Ha- eloim, and Afoul lelohim ha gmm. HicksV 2 Treatifesy p. 16,17.
Q. Who has greater Power, a Pricji or an Emperor ?
A. The Priefthood is a Princely Power, greater and more venerable than that of the Empire. There is the like dif- fi-rence between thele two Powers, as between little Boys a^ing the parts of Magiltrates, and Magiltratesthemfelves ; and tiie fpiricnal Government is much more excellent than the Civil, as Heaven is than Earth, yea much morefo: The Pri.-fts, as if they were tranflated into Heaven, made fomething above Men, aniex;;mpt from human Affe£lions, arc advanc'd to this Princely Power. Ibid. pag. 208, 209, ■210.
Q. Ton have given us a jujl account of the Honour that's due to a Prieft by High-Church Priixiples^ pray let us l^now how a Bi- fjop U to be honour d ^
A. Let the Bifhop be honour'd among you as God. Ibid, pag. 201. - Q. Is the BiJJjop accountable to any Mortal ?
A. He who makes himfelf Judg of the Bifhop, makes himfelf Jalg of Gcd. Ibid, f. 214.
Q. Km
( II)
Q. f^ow great ought the Revenue of a Prkjl to be ?
A. Much greater than a King's: for if they admlniftcc fo many things to a King who adrainifters Peace and War, for bodily Safety j ought they not to adininifter more libe- rally to him, who adminiftring the Priefthood towards God, fccuresboth Body and Soul by his Prayers ? Ihui. p. 201.
q. IVho if guilty of the greateji Treafon, he who rejijts a K'lng^ or he who rcfijis a Priejl .«'
A. A Friefl no doubt ; for as the Priefthood is more ex- cellent than the Kingly Olfice, fo he is more worthy of grea- ter Punifhment who dares move his Eyeagainlt it. Jb'ui.
Q. Why woud you be rather pray'd for by a friej] than any 0- ther F erf on, tho ever fo holy ?
A. Becaufe the Prayer of a Prieft for the People, or for any fmgle Perfon among them, t\\o\']ke Abraham he may be a Temporal Prince, is the authoritative Prayer of a Superior for an Inferior j hefides he prays/ as a Liturge, and the mouth of the whole Congregation, yea of the whole Ca- tholick Church. Ibid. p. 122, 124.
Q. Is a Priefi never abfent from his Flocl^ ?
A. He is fuppos'd to be always prefent among his Flock in Perfon or in Spirit. Ibid. p. 12^.
Q^ IVhat woiCd be a proper Worl^^ for the Convocation ?
A. To revife the Catechifm of the Church, and to make Additions. Nelfon's Preface to Fafis and^Feajls^ p. 17.
Q^ What Additions are neccffary to be made ?
A. Some relating to the Authority of the Clergy. Ibid.
Q. IVhat if the Advantage which may ke made c/ thu /
A. That in the next: Generation we may retrieve that re- fpeft to the Priefthood which we want in this. Ibid.
Q. And what refpcil w that ?
A. That even Kings and (Queens are to bow down to thee (the Prieft) with their i-ace towards the Earth, and to lick up the Duft of thy Feet. The Cafe cf the Regaky p. 16. firjf Edit.
O. What Power does the Scripture allow Kings and Hi'cens in church-matters Z
A. None at all, for their OSce is an OrRcc of Servitude, and notof Authority ; and the King is only the Church $ Nurfe's Husband, whofc Office 'cis to cany the Child (High Church) in his Arms, or on his Shoulders. liiJ.
Q. Why may not a Layman be alion-'d more Chaplains than one ?
jl. Becaufe no Man can fervc two Mailers. lb. p. 154.
Q^ Atay a La) man fay my Chaplain .«*
A. The Expreffion is proper enough to fay iny Chaplain, as I fay my King or my God. Caje of the Regale^ Edit. 2.
f. 182.
B 2 q; What
(12) ■
Q. Wh.tt thinly ym of the Oath of Supreifiacy ? A. 'Tis not an Oath of Fidelity to the King, but of Unfaithfulnefs to the Church. Appendix to the Righrs'of God's Church on Earth.
O. ii'h:it Opinion hxve you of the Oath of Supremacy ^ as 't'n cx- plain'4 by the 57 of H. 8. an .4// noiv in force /
A. I take iC to be an extravagant and impious Notion. Vo^lfine ef the Church of England as to the Independency of the Clergy, Seft. 15.
Q^ What think, you of the Kings Nomination of BiJJjops^ and of the yorver the Laws allow him over the Convocation Z
A. "Tii as reafonable that the Church ftiouM have the nomination and depofmg of Rings, and that no Parliament fhou'd meet or tranfacl any thing relating to the Civil Go- vernment of the Nation, without Licence obtain'd from the Bifhops, nor enad any thing but in theBilhops Name, and by their Authority. Cafe of the Regale^ p. 11,12. Q. Then thei'^th of H.8. c. 19. mil not go down v^itb you ? A, ' 'Tis fufticiently known how the Church hasgroan'd under this Prerogative Act of the Letter Miffive : The beft Churchmen ever fince have complain'd of it as a mighty Grievance and Burden. * The Synodical Submif- lion, as It was violently extorted from the Clergy, and un- fairly reprefented in the Preamble of that Statute, fo it is of no doftrinal force againfi: the Powers Hierarchical : and therefore our (the Clergy's) Continuance in and under that Submiffion, is not to be attributed to any Principle of Con- fcience, but either to prudent, Patience, or cowardly Fear. ' Sacheverel'y Charaiier of a Low Churchm.m. "" Arch- deacon HillV Dialogue, p. 6.
Q. What Opinion have the Clergy of thU and other Laws made in H. yV Keign, relating to the Regal Supremacy ^
A. The generality of the Clergy not only feeing in The- ory, but feeling by Experience the great Inconvenience of them, have ot late exprels'd their defire of their Repeal or Emendation. Ikid. p. 3, 4.
Q. Who are they that are againfi repealing thofe Laws relating to the Church /
A. All the Tolerated Diffenters, Socinians, Deifts, Athcifts, to the utter Crucifixion of Chnft and his Church. Jtid. p.s-
Q. Does the .Vagiflrate gain or lofe by turning Chrij}ian P A^ The Magiftrate rather lofes than gains by his Con- verfion, btcaufe he is to be admitted into the Church on the Bifhop's Terms, and as a private Perfon, and bound to obey Church-Laws made by the Eccleliafticks, and to fub- n3it to the BiHiop as Head of the Church, and fupreme un- appealable
nnne^Uble Tiuk in Spirituals, and therefore to abide his S^-S?^lce Jhil in fome cafes may proceed to Excommuiu- cation ^'miic. of the Defence of th^ deprived m,op, p. 54. Q. ){cn Any Bijlop any fuch Forcer /« England ? A. Noj there's a common Slavery upon the Hierarchical Powers. MHnic'il>. EccL •^. \2i. . , , .
O Is it pofflble for the State to have Power iit Church-matters f yf No • 'tis an Impoflibilitv and Contradiaion for any State to have Authority over the Church within their Do- minions in Eccledafticil Matters^ and the confequence of this muftbe, to root up all Religion from the tace of the Earth. Cafe of the Regale, p. 132.
O. Can the Prince fafcly exercife hn Supremacy^ A Can a Claim of an oppreflive Supremacy be deem da Plorious Tcwel in a Chriftian Crown ; winch if exercis d, muft of neccflity forfeit the Kina's Salvation ? And tis a dangerous Complaifance in Priefts, to plead for fuch an Ambition as may end in the Ruin ot the Church the Priefthood, and the Soul of the Prince. JiluniciprAm Eccle-
Q^Z'h^xtwtuld the Confequence be, flmldwe not aUoro Synods to h>ive ct Divine^ight ? _
A. The not defending the Divine Rights of Synods will be the utter Extirpation of all Religion out of the World, and therewith an Extirpation of the Priefthood. Preface to the Defence of "Municip. Eccl. ^ , ^ „ , _ ^ ,.
Q.Are the Clergy bound to defend the Regal Sufremacy over the Convocation, as to the time of its fitting ?
A Cou'd fuch a fine point be made out, yet Purely it does not 'become a Clergyman to lielp fuch a Point forward; Let us leave that dirty work to be done by the pro efs d Enemys of Religion and the Order •, but et not the hands of Levi be employ'd in it. Atterbury s Kights of Convocat.
^'* o 'ffave the Clergy a Powr to determine for the Uity when they fl^aUeat, and when not; or when they fi^aU work, and when not ■, and what Clothes they jImU wear .^
7 Tis a Oueftion of faft whether the Governors of the Church have a power to appoint Times of Abftmence and Fafting, and of appointing Holydavs ; and in fome cale of eivTnc^ Orders about Clothes or not: and I think I ftiall be able to prove that (he has fuch a Power, and particularly
as to Clothes. Hicks'. Pref ^^^*^/^'•"^'■"' P'^/'\?,Lr, ^ n. What, has the Church or Prtefi Power m CivU Matters J^ A There arc neither Things nor Pcrlon exempt from the
Power of the Church, \i'o!f Jhipt, part 2. p. 33.
Q. mat
( '4)
<^. What opium ought we to have of our M Rernrn,»r. ?
A We ought to believe tlut i«r, VI i aldSwvr fet themfelres in the Throne of onrlVrA.A.u^i^^' of the Church of £«5/.n/in thofc two R^r/. '^^ ^^^°P^ Caufeof Chriftand'hisChu- fforwhSf H^''' "^ '^^ have died Martyrs. Hickes'] /.v; te^^\ ''l^ Zt' '' . q, IVhat think >«« of the Refmatm ahrok ^ ^^^' ^''^•
i4. They m Sweden pray not only for the Churrh ;« « ral, but for the Clergy, before the^ KmgT bu Je Kifrfn' our Liturgy IS thruft in between the ChuTxh and the R SS. niK,n the Notion, I fnppole, of his bel^g" Head ^^Xe Church ; and tl.e whole Royal Family are"d"w„ in after him, as being Heads in Reverdon. We imDrove ",nS c to take care in'the firft place of our Bodys before'our VT and for this World more than Eternity fbut he. reLn^^i'*
VfTT /"'f/ ^"^^? > ^^'^y ^^^°™ "°^ backward \^^| oj the Regale, Ed. 2. p. 28. '^^
Q. What Notion have you of the Church of Rome >
A. That 'tis not only a ' True Church, but that it ha.
STr^ Advantages which other Churched want • 1^5
H'gh-ChuYch Writers jrom Laud down to Hicks. ' HicksV p..y?
to Reform d Devotions. ■»**'-ksj fref,
. Q, p^you believe the National Church of England to be a Tru. Cburo), as y^eU as the Church of Rome ' "^
^. No furely, for our Thirty Nine Articles hereto an nex'd, affirm they are all in I Schifm, and out of thj Church ; and the Prayers of her Clerav are Sins an?M, • Sacraments Sacrilege. ^^ "^' ^""^ ^^^^^
Q, ^i'hat Opinion have you of the GiUic^n Church, in which he whoH caWdthe Pretender k educated^
^. They have limited the Supremacy of the Pone tn th^ Conftitutions of their own Nation?! Church ; and if the^ keep as clear of the Regale, their Reformation will exS^J ours. Cafe of the Regale, Ed. 2. p. 258, 255. ^""^
Q. Why don't you unite then with the Gallican Church ^ •■ A. The EngUp; Convocation not being fuiFer'd to fit whilf» ^'j^^lSri^n. ^''' ^"^ ^'^'^ '."ween 4"S^!
FrScf P^i/L- 1 ^'"^ ""' '^'""" '^ ^^' ^"^''^ ^-^^'^^ ^^ 'f t^^ A The generality of the Roman Catholicks in England are of the fame Sencunints with the GaUican Church con cermngthe Supremacy of, the Papal See; and 'tis the Pa" p4l Supremacy alone which ilands in the way to opporefuch a glor.ous Reunion. Let th- Pope confirm the Decrees of t:;e National Council of t)ance in 16C2. and I dare fay
we
( >o
we fliall not long quarrel about his Supremacy. Ibid. p. 25^, 260, 262.
Q. IVhich « xforj}^ the Papal or the Regal Supremacy ?
A. I j})aIlonly tell you that the Ufurpation of tlie Pope oi» the Epifcopate made the Bifhop of Spalato come over to England j but finding here a more heterogeneous Hraftianifm, Ijp return'd. Ibid. Ed. i. p. 142.
Q. IVhat was the reafon it proved fo hard a Tasl(^ to l(eep »wr Kings fiom running (kicr to Popery /
A. They had rather fubmit themfelves, tho with hazard of their Crowns, to a foreign Bifhop who afferted a Supe- riority over 'em both in Temporals and Spirituals ; than to have no Bifhops at all to be fubjert to even in Spirituals: which is indeed to be quite out of the Church. Ibid. p. 135.
Q. Why do you recl^on Charles T. to be a Martyr /
A. Becaulb he fet himfelf for the Refcue of the Church from the Encroachments of the Secular Courts and Eraftian Laws. Ibid. Ed. 2. p. 131.
Q^ Was there any Crime greater thun Lucifer V Rebellion againfl God .«'
A. TheFaftof 48 was going beyond Lucifer in his own way of Pride and Infolence. hinks'% ^oth of Jan. Serm. f the Convocat. p. 1 5.
C^. What Character doss Archbifliop Laud give Charles I ?
A. That he was a gracious Prince, that knew not how to be or be made great \ and trurted falfe, cowardly, and per- fidious Men. Laud'j Hij\. of his Troubles and Trial ^ p. 178.
Q. Do the Clergy turn themfelves into Ridicule .^
A. Yes, by their being a well-pouder'd Clergy. Alas, Sir, do thefe Men thmk to convert Soul% or can they ima- gine the People think that they themfelves really believe what they preach, when they look more like the vaincft of Laymen than Priefts ? HicksV /»o r»tWi/i,v, p. 132.
Q^ What thin^ you of the Clergy that fwore to the Qoverutaetit contrary to their Confciences /*
A. They who comply with the Government, and yet re- tain their old Principles, are far the heft, the wifclV, the honefteftand moft numerous of all the Clergy. Pref. to the Remarl^s on fome late Sermons.
Q^ What do you mean by retaining their old Principles /
A. I mean helping to fupport the Jacobites^ honouring them in their Hearts, being zealous for the Royal Family, and watchful for the times i)f healing and refrefliing, when they may come again to Communion with 'em under their rightful Bilhops. FreJ. to Jome Dijcokrfcs sn Dr. Tillotfon and Dr. Burnet. <^. What
( i6 )
Q. What Reflexions would a Man be tempted to mal^e on the Clcr^^s coming in to the Government at the Revolution ?
A. By their Conduil one wou'd be alnioft tempted to look ona!l Religion as a mere Cheat, and to believe that they themfelves own'd no God. Loyal Martyr vind. p. 3^. Qj What do the Clergy believe at prefent ? A. Il^nownot, iwf they muft be brought to believe at laft that God is ftronger than the Devil. Fref. to the Cafe of the Regale y p. 22.
Q. bo the Cleriy any veaj gratify the Deifis ? A. The Deiftsof this Age muft needs be pleas'd to fee what ufe we (the Clergy) make of Reveal'd Religion, or rather how fhamefullywe abufe it. Dr. EdwardsV brief Re- marl^s on the ABi/J^op of Dublin'j- Serm. p. 23. Q. iVhat muji we thinly of the Low Church/nen .•* A. That they are trimming Villains, who are not, and by their Principles are oblig'd not to be Chriftians. Sache- veveVs Chara^ler of a Low Cburcinnan^ p. 21.
Q. Jf the Church be in danger^ from whence comes it / A. Why from our going off from our old Principles, and ihufflingwinh our Confciences ; our trifling with our Oaths, and bringing down the high and holy Name of God to our own Vanity, to fecure our prefent little inconfiderable In- tereft. Affi^^e Scrm. before the Vniverfity of Oxford, July 19. ' J 705. preach'd by Mr.TlWY, Fellow of C. C. C. Q; Pray repeat the Scale of Sinners.
A. The Jew crucifies his Saviour, the Socinian and /UaAj- metan ungod him, the PApift devours him, the (:alvini(\ be- lieves God from all Erernity to reprobate the whole World but himfelf and his Brethren ^ but an Englijh F.matick, the greateft Monfter of 'em all, rends the Church inroSchifm, anathematizes Bifhops, lets up Lay-Elders, and Occafional Conformills. Sachev, S'^rw. 4^ Oxford, 1704. ;>. 50. Q. What thin\ you of a rich Citizen Z
A. That there's no Plague in the Church comparable to a rich Citizen. Hijhp Parker.
Q. Is it larvful jor Laymen to l^eep thoje Lands that in Popif}> Times were dedicated to Superjiitinui Vfes .«'
A. No ; fcr there lies a heavy Curfe x)n the Nation, which can't be remov'd without Rcftituticn of what we have rob'd from God. Efj'ay of Tithes, p. 227.
Q; But ii it not better they fljould be in the hands of Lay-Frote' fiants^ than of Mcr^s and Fryars .«'
A. The fcandalous and facrilcgious Impropriations of Tithes made by the Popes uerc worfe diverted by thofe who (hou'd have reftor'd them. ViOht. ccnc. Eccl. Hi]}.
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Q. Is the Crwn a Gainer or a Lofer by thefc Lands f A, So much has the Crovrn gain'd bj the Accefllon of Sasrilegious Wealth, as from Imperial Dignity and Pro- priety Paramount in all the Lands of EngUndy to bccorae an honourable Beggar for its daily Bread. Ejfaj of Tithes^ p. i6o.
Q. Is it lawful for the Clergy to recede from a DoSirine tbey have long taught^ particularly that of Paffiv: Obedience ?
A, What a Guilt as well as Dil^race would it juftly de- volve upon the Clergy, to recede Romany Principle of our Excellent Church ; efpecially from what has been fo long re- tain'd and boaftcd of, as its peculiar Character. The Speech fptke by Dr. Sacheverel, f. 6.
Q. What are damnable Sins in Politicks ? A. To preclude the next Heir from his Right and Suc- ceflion to the Crown, and to affirm that the Sovereignty of England is in tlie Three Eftates, vii(^. Ring, Lords, and Com- mons. Decree of the Vniverfity of Oxford againf} pernic.om Book^Sy damnable Do&rines, &c» now ordered by the Lords to be burnt bj the k /lands of the Common Hangman,
Q. Have the Lords and Commons any fjjare in the malf^ing Lavs ^ A, Yes, as much as a Beggar has in my Alms. Bif\)op Womack'/y7;(3>-^ Way to a lafling Settlement^ p. 24.
Q. Is there no difference betveeen True-born Englifhmen and Turky slaves ?
A. All Subjeils muft be Slaves as to the Particular of their Lives and Li bertys : and the Dodrine of the Bow- llring is declar'd by Aft of Parliament. HicksV Jovian, p. 219, & 242.
Q; Mufl we obey vrhcn ''tii contrary to Law ? A. Thediftinftion between legal a<nd illegal Methods^ is a filly, time-ferving, rebellious dillindion of Low-Church. Charailer of a LofP'Lhurchman, p. 12.
Q. IVhaty is it lawful to refiji on no account whatever / A. No, 'tis not lawful to refiil for the Maintenance of the Lives or Libertys of our fclves or others j no, not for th^ Defence of Religion, no nor for tlie Prefervation of a Church or State ; no nor yet, if that could be imagm'd poflible, for the balvation of a Soul •, no nor for the Re- demption of the whole World. BifJiop Sanddifon m Sachere- tcVs CoOeiHonof Pajffgesy p. 6. Folio,
Q; Which it the beji way of fupporting thn DoHrine of Paffjve Obedience /
A. To raife a Popifh and Jacobite Mob, and pull down Mecting-HouTes ; and then charge it on the DilT^ntcrs, as we did thcPopilh Plot and the burning of London.
C Q. Wb0t
Q; What Opinion have you of the Dijfenters Loyalty f A. They think to carry every thing by fadious CaballJns, both at home and abroad, by Bribery, Subornation, and everlalt.ng Lying, (their great Arcana Imperii and Myfterys u S-^^-^ ^^ bear us down by their impudent beaftinff of AA/ ^""^^^'^ ^^ ^heir Legion, who are always ready at the ^^atch-word and Signal given, to mob the Houfe of Com- jnons, affa/rmate her Majjfty, and join with any foreign Enemy to invade the Kingdom, and fubvert our Church and Governm.^nt. Rights of the Church of England, p. 6, of the Remark,s. < ' a , * j
a /Tw cok'd the High-Church Clergy on their Principles mth- draw then Allegiance from King James, declare King William to be rightful and lawful King, abjure the Pretender ^ and fwear to the prejent Government and Proteflant Succefm .■?
A. Egad, Sir, I fhall tell you plainly, that I an't at leifure, nor fhan't be at leifure, nor wan't be at leifure to fay one word to you about this matter. Powel'j Letter from theBuhj for the Informatim of hk Puppets.
Dr.
E K K AT A, Pref. p. 3. line II. for wAa with read anL
C^9)
Dr. H IC KES's Thirty Nine Articles.
I.
FIRST I affirm, that the Catholick Church is the *" Kingdonj of God, as it is call'd in Scrip- ture •, as alfo the City and Houfe, that is, thtj Family of God. It is alfo call'd a f Polity ou Coraraonweakh of Ifrael, and the Body of Chrift, to fignify unto us, that it is a Spiritual Society and Incorpo- ration, whereof all Chriftians are Members.
II. That this SpiritHiil Kifigdon:, or hcorportition^ had a Being in the World, independent on the lecular Power, for above three hundred years before the Government of it was interwoven with the Secular Government and Laws.
m.
That Chrifi is the King of this fpiritual Kingdom and Head of this fpiritual Incorp<xation, and the il Bifliops his
* St.Mat. 115. 28. St. Mark 9. n. St. Luke 9, 27. 2 St. Pet. 1. II.
T- Rev, 21. a« Gal. 4. 26. Ephef. 2. 19. Hcb. g. 6^ Color. I. 18.
11 St.Mdt. 10' 40. St. Luke 10. i^i
C 2 c!^i«f
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chief Minifiers and V^tcegerents'^ to whom, in their re- fpedive Jurifdidions, he requires Obedience from all his Subjeds,of what temporal Quality or Degree whatfoever.
IV. That for this reafon the Church, or incorporate Body of Chriftians, is faid to be a 11 Royd Priefihood, or King- dom of Priefts •, and our Priefis^ I mQSino\iT Chief Priefisy are for the fame reafon faid to be Regal Priejis^ or Kings as well as Priefls unto God.
V. That every Diocefs and Province in the Catholick Church, is a part of this Kingdom, or Members of this particular Incorporation.
VI. That the Government of DiocefTes, or particular Dif- trid:s of this Incorporation, is fingle and monarchical \ but the Government of Provinces^ and of the whole Corpora- tion, commonly call'd the Catholick Churchy \s collegiate^ with rcfped to the feveral Bifhops who are Fellows, or lawfully Collegues in the facerdotal Power under Cbrift, the High-Prieft of the Catholick Church.
VII. That thefe are Collegues, or Fellows in the facerdotal Power Chrift hath committed to them : And all are bound to maintain Correfpondency or Communion with one ano- ther, and to ratify one another's Ads.
VIII. That what is done by one of them, is admitted into the ipiritual Corporation, or excluded from it by any one of them, is admitted and excluded by all.
IX. That Men become Subjeds of this Kingdom, or Mem- bers of this fpiritual Incorporation by Baptifm \ and that all Emperors and Kings, whether abfolute, or limited in the Exercife of their Regal Power, become Sttbje^s of it by Baptifm, as well as other Men.
That Men, not as Men, but as Chriftians, arc Subjeds of this Kingdom, or Members of this fpiritual Incorpo- ration.
II St. Pet. 2. 9. cow/, ^xod. li?.^.
aI, That
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XI. That all Chrifti;rt) Emperors and Kings, as well as o- thers ccafe to be Members of this Corporation, or Sub- icds of this Kingdom, by lawful Excommunication, Apo- ftacy from ChrilUanity, Herefy, or profefling Doftnnes dearudive of the Catholick Faith ; as alfo by Scfc»M which, in the Church SabjeAs, confifts in withdrawing their Subjedion and Obedience from their Rfghtfd Bi- Pjops 1 and in Biftiops or Church-Governors, m retufing or breaking off Communion and Correfpondence with their rightful Fellow- Bi/Ijops, without caufe, or by trjva^ dwg one another's fpincuai Rights, contrary to the fun- damcntal 1 aws of the Sacerdotal or Epifcopal College, and that fpiritual Union, wherein the Polity of the Sacer- dotal College, the Being and Well being of the Church, as a Society, doth confill.
That as when Differences and Divifions are in any Civil Corporation, the true Corporation is in the rightful Head, and the Members that adhere to him \ fo in every Dio- cefs the Church is in the Rightful Billiop and his Flock, tho never fo fmall in number : And in every Province, the Epifcopal Collegues are in the rightful Primate, and thofc BiOiops and their Flocks that adhere to him •, lo m every Diocefs, the Church is in the rightful Bilhop and his Flock tho never ^o fmall in number \ and m every Pro- vince,' the Epifcopal College is ni the rightful Primate, and thofe Bilbopsand their Flocks that adhere to hira.
XIII. That all the Promifes of the Gofpel are made to Chrif- tians, as adual Members of the Church : And as no Man' how eminent foever for peril rial Virtue?, can in the ordinary way of Salvation claim the beneht ot ihcp, before he is a Member cf the Church •, io no Man, who by any AA of his own, ot of his rightful BiOiop, ceafcs to be a Member of it, can lay any claim to ihem, or any of them, not fo much as RemiflTion of Sins.
XIV. That all Chriftians, Emperors, and Kings, as well as others, who adhere to unlawful ulurping Bilhops, anci join in Communion with them, do by their fchifmatical Adherence cut themfelves off from the Church, that is, the Body of Chriil ; and fo by ihcir own A(it and Deed * ' cea(^
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ceafe to be Members of that fpiritual Corporation • and are no longer ,^, but out of the CWc/(which is the
^ . XV.
That in all Controverfys ahout Right amongft Bi/Iiops It ,s the Duty and eternal Concern of Chrh'tiaTal Chr.ft.ans to enquire into the Titles of the contending Partys, and to be as faithful to the rightful Bifhops "a1 RrDul Kin^ temporal Laws, ought to beta
XVI. ^"^P^^?^^n^"^ '^^"'Ss get nothing by Baptifm, or be- coming Chtiftians, more than other Men, but a ftronper Obligation to defend the Church of Chrift, and all its Rights^ and particularly the Pohty or Government of n by the Royal Priefthoodof Bifliops, without which it cannot be a Church. "'
XVII. That it's one of the principal Rights of the Church for the Bilhops, or Regal Priefts of it, as to conftitote' fo to deprive one another by their collegiate fpiritual Power. '^
XVIII. That baptiz'd, or Chriftian Emperors and Kings, and the States of their Empires and Kingdoms (if Chriftian> are equally Subjeds of the Church, and have the fame Obligation of Subjedion and Obedience to the facerdotal Power, or BiOiops within their own Dominions, as in an7 other part of the Catholick Church.
XIX. That the Regent^ or facerdotal College of the Churchy lofes nothing of the Power, Authority, or Jurifdidion, or other Rights it hath from Chrift, > by the State's turning Chriftian, or by the Union of the Church with the State.
XX. That this Union which the Church and State, or of the Spiritual with the Temporal Sovereigns, and the Inter weavings of the one with the other, are ipfo faUe unweav'd, when the State perfccuttsthe Church.
XX!, Thai:
( 2? )
XXI.
< That the State as truly perfecutes the Church, when the Temporal perfecutes the Spiritual Sovereigns^ and thofe that adhere to them for any moral Duty, as for Truth, Righteoufnefs, and the common Faith of Man- kind ; as when they perfecute them for profefling any Article of the Chriftian Faith : and more eipeciaily it is a raoft grievous Perfecution of the Church, when the Temporal drive the Spiritual Sovereigns from their Flocks, for aahering to them.
XXII.
That neverthelefs it is the indifpenfable Duty of their Fjocks to adhere to them, as their rightful Biftiops and ConfefTors, and to feparate fnom the Communion of thtfg^ who ufurp their Thrones^ tho they fuffer Death for fo doing i> as in times of Controverfy between the rightful and ufurping Bifliops, many faithful Chriftians of all Ranks bave done.
XXIII.
That the Union or Interweaving of the Civil with ,the Ecclefiaftical Laws and Government, gives the State no more Right, or Pretence of Right to ufurp it over the Church, or invade its fpiritual Rights, than the Church to ufurp over the State, or to invade its tempo- ral Rights.
XXIV.
That the State ufurps it over the Church, and plainly invades its Rights, when the temporal pretend to deprivt the fpiritual Sovereigns^ and diflblve that fpiritual Union, that is between them and their Flocks. XXV.
That in a Mixture or Intermixture of the Civil with the Eccclefiaftical laws and Government in a Chriftian State, every Chriftian Subjed (the King not excepted) ought to dirtinguilh the Rights ot the one from the other, efpecially in Times of Controverfy between them ., and to give to the Church, or fpiritual Sovereigns^ the things of the Church \ and to the State, or temporal Sovereigns, the things of the State.
XXVI.
That the beft and fureft way for any Chriftian Prince or Subjeds to know what things belong to ihc Church, is, to inquire what Power, Authority, or Jurif-
didioa
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diction and Rights, the antient Prie/lhood, I mean the Apoftles, and their SuccefTors the Bifhops, claim'd and exercis'd, not only without, but againfl the Confent and Commands of the fecular Potentates, before the Union with Church and State. XXVII. That when the State invades the Rights of the Church, all Chriftian People, as Chriftians, or fpiritual SubjeAs to the Royal Priefthood, are bound to defend the Ri;hts of the Chriftian Church, and the Biftiops of it, which are their own Chriftian Rights, againft the State, as much as they are bound, under the Relation of tejuporai Subjects, to defend the Rights of the State, which arc tk^k own civil Rights, againfl the Church, when (he in- vades them.
XXVIII. That the Safety and Security of the Church, as a So- ciety or Corporation, and of the ChrifBan Faith, which is committed as a Truft unto it, as fucn, confifls in the Peoples faithful Adherence to all the Rights of it j but more efpecially, in adhering to the rightful Bifhops a- gainfl the Intruders, how numerous (oever, and never forfaking their Fidelity and Obedience to the rightful Bifhops, howfoever perfecuted or opprefs'd. XXIX. That all Emperors and Kings, as v?ell as others, forfake Rightfnl Bifl}ops, and their Fidelity and Obedience to them^ who fet up Vfurpers in their Thrones^ or who uphold, maintain, and defend them who are fo fet up, or who own their pretended Authority, by fubmitting to their Jurifdidion, or living in Communion with them. XXX. That a Chriftian Emperor or King, or fbvereign Chrif- tian State, tho they may have more Power and Opportu- nity, and greater Temptation, yet have they no more Right or Authority to invade the Rights of the Church in their own Dominions, than in any other part of the Catholick Church.
XXXI.
That the Regent^ orEpilcopal College, in confideration
of Protedion from a Chriftian State, may, in fome cafes,
modify the Exercife of her juft Power, and make fome
Grants ?n^ pgnc?fliQn^ to thg State, upon proraife and
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in truft and Confidence that they will not be abus'd of turn'd to her hurt or prejudice *, as not to call Synods^ without acquainting the King^ and obtaining his leave, if poflibie -^ not to make Foreigners, or Clerks of foreign Allegiances, Bifhops-^ to make no ^;y7;op/, but Perfons fup- pos'd tobe worthy, and duly qualify'd, of the King's No- mination*, to grant Builders and Endowers of Churches the Honour and Privilege of prefenting worthy Clerks to ferve the Cures of them, and their Familys-, not to in- ftance in many more things cf the like nature, wherein Concordats have been us'd to be made betw?:en Church and State.
XXXII.
That the Church Regent^ or Epifcopal College, is bound to refiime theft Grants, and Conceffions, and Concordats between them, when the State abufes them knowinj^ly and wilfully to the mifchief of the Church, e. g. As to the bringing in and promoting of Idolatry and Heretical Doc- trines \ to the making and fomenting of Divifions and Schifms;, to the invading of facerdotal Powers, Plights, or Fundionsi or robbing thePriefts of their Tithes, or any- other way i to the apparent Ruin of the Cburch,as by abo- liftiing the Priefthood in either, or both the Orders thereof. XXXIII.
That for want of knowingly and duly confidering thefc things, many Chriftians, to the great peril of their Souls, have taken the wrong fide with the Church, againlt the State in the Ro/nan Pale, and with the State againft the Church, in thefe three Kingdoms, and other Rcform'd Countrys^ particularly, in this Kingdom, many falfe, un- chriftian Maxims, prejudicial to the Charader of the Epifcopal College of oun High-Pricfts, extremely hurtful to the Church, and detrimental to the ChrilUan Religion, which are receiv'd for Law, and lawful, which ought not to be fo in any Chriftian State. Such as thefe that follow : That Patronage^ or the Right of prcfentwg Clerks to Chtcs^ is a Lay-fee, That Tithes and Offerings may become L^y- fees. That Bonds of Reftgnation are l.jwful. Tljat the King is fhprcme Ordinary. That Canons mide by the Cbnrch Re- gent, or Epijcopal College, oblige not Chrifiian People in Con- fcience, mthofit or agaifift the Kivg's Cwfcnt •, and that they OHght not to be receiv'd by them as Canons, or fplritmtl Laws of the Church, without his leave, or an Atl of Par-
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liamem. That Kings, tho Subjefis of the Churchy as well another Aicn, ought not to be excommunicated^ how wicked jeever they are. That a King, by an Att oj Parliamenty tnay deprive Bifiops, and dijfolve the Relation between them and their Flocks. To this I may add, the Writ of Qpare tmpedit^ founded upon the firft of the former falfe Maxims 9 the ill Vfe of Prohibitions \ the lafi Appeal or Refort of our Church in fpiritual Caufes ^ the Vnchrifiian A^s of Parlia- ment, touching theEle^ion and Confecration of Bipjops^ &c. rvhichj J thinks I am able tojjjew, have been the Natural, at well 06 Judicial Caufes of all the Miferys in the Church and State among us for many years -^ and of the great Atheijm^ Deifm, orVnbeliefof Reveal'd Religion, Contempt 0/?^ Triefihood^ even of the Royal Priejihood it felf\ Scepticifm or Jndifferency in Religion ^ together with all the Herefys^ Schijmsy Immoralitys^ and Height of Profanenefs, that mm overflows the Land. J could give other Jnfiances of falfe nnchriflian Maxims^ and nnrigljteow LawSy Vfurpations^ rvhich have almofi quite defiroyd the Power and Authority of the Epifcopal College^ and with it the Difcipline of the Catholick Church of England •, which, by the firfl Article of AifagnaCharta^ as well as by Chrift's Laws, ought to be free. But inftead of enjoying her Freedom, her own Sons have made her a Slave, to the great Decay of ChriP- tian Faith, and the great Difhonour and Contempt of Chrift *, from whom our High-Priefts claim all their Spi- ritual Rights ^ under whom they are fupreme over the Church, which Chrift hath purchas'd with his Blood. XXXIV. That Schifm in the Church, when it confifts only in withdrawing our Subjedion and Obedience from our rightful Bifhops, is the fame thing in Chrift's Kingdom, or any part of it, as Sedition in the State, or Kingdoms of the World. But when it comes to refirting and oppofing the rightful Bilhop, or driving him out of his Throne^ and placing an Ufurper in it, then it anfwers to Rebellion in both cales : it is the Sin of Corah, Dathan, and Abiram in the Ringleaders, tho they be Prelates, Kings, or Princes, and of their Company in thofe that follow and aflift them, and adhere to them, as hath been obferv'd by St. Clement and St. Cypriatiy and all the fcoly Fathers that have written abont Schifm.
XXXV.
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XX X\'^.
«nr rhrlftian fecular Powers to drive rightful Canoni- cal Bi^opsoSt of their Thrones, by fecular FoYce .s IX^Dethromng of the fpiritual Sovereigns by the FDiritualSubjeas: A driving away the Shepherds by the Sheep the Fathers by the Sons', and by confequence, utter Rebellion againft Chrift, as well as an Outrage upon the Rights of the Churc^^^^^
This way of Dethroning^n^ Dcprivingh^U rightfiil Biltos is in it felf utterly null and void from the be- mSp' tho done by lawful fecular Power, whofe tem- Sl Mag^ftrates mly puniOi Bifhops as well as other sS fts, by imprifoning, fining, or banifhmg of them, or bv Death it felf : But they have no Power or Authority todepd^ indeed, no more than the Bi (hops as
heyTre fpiritual Superiors, have to/epofe .Kings, ho thev mav and ought, when it is requifite, to inflift fpin- ta!l Cenfu res upon' them, as impofe Penances •, fufpend them from the Sacrament •, nay, even to excommunicate them as well as other perfons, when it is requilite for cSs G o^y, the Safety and Honour of Rehgion, and the Prffervaiionof theCWcfc. But here, to prevent mifcon- ftruS TtUtobeunderflood, That ^ch Ejcommuni. Shave noother than fpiritual Effeds, and ought not [o be drawn into any con fequences againft the King s tem- poral Rights, or Regal ^^^^^if Government.
anf^ctence whatever, ought not to f^hmt to fuch Ck- Sons ^ becaufe fuch Submiffions would be a giving up
tCSrity and 3-^^^^^^-' tctfplve^s a'T- Thrift alone to the mcompetsnt lecular fo vers , a dc travL heir own Order, and the Rights of the Ep.fcopal gE and the Defence of the Church ; wh.ch Chr.ft, Sau'its Rights, as well as Doftrtnes, tath commuted unto theit Charge ^^ T^^l^xVIlI.
That it is the Duty of' the Clergy and People, to ad- he« to h ir B.nu,ps and Gonfe(%s; but becaufe fuch ?lBrivatun are null and of no effeft, thefe Bifliopsfo Kd remain their B.n,ops (lill. and as long as they rSn their B.n>ops, they cannot .nConfc.ence be d,f-
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charg'd of their Fidelity and Obedience to them, howfp- ever opprefs'd by the ftcalar Powers. XXXIX. That the BetWoning and Deprivhig of rightful Bifhops^ by the fecular Powers, for adhering to their Chriftian Duty, is yet a greater Sin, and alfo receives further Ag- gravations, when thofc fecular Powers are not lawful, but ufurping Powers. Thofc Priejis, or Biflwps^ who dare ufurpthe Thrones of their Fathers or Brethren (b unjuftly, fo illegally, fo invalidly depriv'd, and driven from their Thyonesy are of all others the deteftable Ufurpers, Brea- kers of the mo{1 facred Bands of Peace, Amity, Subordi- nation, andCharity, by which the Kingdom and City of God doth fubfifl:. They are Corahs, and Primes of Schifntj from whom the Lord^s People, by the Laws of the Gofpel, and the Dodrines of the Catholick Church, ought to fe- parate at the peril of their Souls. Their Eledors and Con- fecrators areArchiteds of the Schifm, and in the fame degree of GuiU with them. The Rightful Bifljops, that join in Communion with them, become Collegnes in the Schif/fiy and forfeit their Rights by fo doing : Thofe that aft To confecrated and ordain'd by them, are Continuers, Supporters, and Propagaters of the Schifm, and partake of the fame Guilt with them. To conclude : As they are all in the Schifm, fo they are all out of the Church, and can perform no Ads of Priefthood, neither from Men to- wards God, nor from God towards Men, that arc of any virtue or force. ,God ratifies nothing in Heaven, which they ad in his Name npon Earth ^ he is not oblig'd to hear their Prayers: their Miniftry can claim no Benefit of God's Promifes^ , no, not of his aflifting Grace, nor of Kemifiion of Sins, tho they beg it at the Sacrament, thro the Merits of Chrift's Blood. To be fliort : The Prayers of fach Bifhops are Sin, and their Sacraments Sacrilege, And tho they, or any that adhere to them, ftiould die Martyrs in tne 5cfc;/w, their Martyrdom would not be accepted by God *, they would lofe the Crown of Glory prorais'd to ir. .
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