FIVE DISPUTATIONS OF Church-Government , AND WORSHIP . I. Whether it be Necessary or Profitable to the right Order or Peace of the Churches of England , that we Restore the extruded Episcopacy ? Neg. II. Assert . Those who Nullifie our present Ministry and Churches , which have not the Prelatical Ordination , and teach the People to do the like , do incur the guilt of grievous Sin . III. An Episcopacy desirable for the Reformation , Preservation and Peace of the Churches . IV. Whether a stinted Liturgie or Form of Worship be a desireable means for the Peace of these Churches ? V. Whether Humane Ceremonies be Necessary or Profitable to the Church ? By Richard Baxter .

LONDON , Printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons , Bookseller in Kederminster , and are to be sold by him there , and by Thomas Iohnson at the Golden Key in St. Pauls Church-yard , 1659. At 4. s. 6. d. bound .

THese Papers are ambitious of accompanying those against Popery into your Highness presence , for the tender of their service , and that upon the same account . The Controversies here decided , are those that have had a hand in most of the great transactions that of late years have here past ; and that still have a hand in the differences that hinder our desired peace . I observe that the Nation generally rejoyceth in your peaceable entrance upon the Government . And are affected with indignation , if they hear but any rumors that troublesom persons would disturb their hopes . And many are perswaded that you have been strangely kept , from participating in any of our late bloody contentions , that God might make you an Healer of our breaches , and imploy you in that Temple●work , which David himself might not be honoured with , though it was in his mind , because he had shed blood abundantly , and made great wars , 1 Chron. 22.7 , 8. I perceive also that some settlement of Church-affairs will be expected from you by the most . And therefore it concerneth all our welfare that you be well acquainted with the state of those differences , about which all will expect your judgement . For my own part I think not that matters are half so far out of order in the Churches , as most discontented men imagine : But yet I know there is much to be mended , wherein both God and most good men expect you should contribute a considerable part . Some think there is no settlement in the Church , till they are in the saddle , and all their Brethren are become their servants , and do them obeysance . And alas , we have those that take it for no settlement , till they have the sword in their own hands , or have engaged you to use it at their discretion , and may again fill the Prisons or other Lands , with their Brethren that are far better then themselves ▪ Those I mean that in their writings so glory that their predecessors hang'd the Puritans , and lament that of late they were but silenced , as being a less effectuall means . Some would have no other settlement then we have , or else would have Licentiousness settled by a Law , and have unlimited Liberty in Religion . Doubtless these are conscious what it is that they have need of : If Heathens , Infidels and Papists be but excepted out of the Toleration , it displeaseth them : And we can easily conjecture why . If we grant them all the Liberty of their consciences ( that is , of their mis-belief , because , alas , we cannot cure it ) it satisfieth them not , unless they may have also Liberty of tongue and Practise . When I have heard and read the Reasonings of some of them against the Immortality of the soul , and the Christian Religion it self , I have wondered why they should take it for such a point of Liberty , to have leave to draw others to their opinion , when they seem to think that mens Happiness or Misery is no more concerned in it . These are the men that tell the world that Magistrates have nothing to do with Religion , but only with our Peace and Bodily welfare , contrary to the fullest Testimony of the Scriptures : Which is but to perswade men to esteem you as the dirt of the earth , and to value the Ministry above the Magistracy , as much as the Soul is better then the Body , and as Heaven is better then this dunghill-world . And for this odious doctrine , they have no stronger reason , then because that Heathen Princes are uncapable of deciding matters about Religion . As if mens wilfull and wicked indisposition would change the office , and disoblige both them and those that are guilty of no such unfitness , from the obligations laid upon them by the Lord : They may as wisely say that a sober Physitian is obliged to no more then a drunken one can perform ; or that a seeing man may do no more then the blind can do : Or that a Learned Prince may not meddle with Learning , because an unlearned Prince is unfit for it . But any man that hath read Bellarmine , Parsons , Gretser , or such like Jesuites , may know the Fathers of this doctrine : Nothing more familiar with them , then that Princes have nothing to do but for our Bodies , and the Common Peace : but forsooth it is the Pope that must Rule all about our Souls . The Libertines know whose cause they plead . But verily men that regard the Interest of Christ and their salvation , would set light by Princes , if they believed them to be such terrestriall animals as Papists and Libertines would make them .

Some also there be , that would have a settlement upon too rigorous terms , though they would not have it executed with cruelty . Most men would fain have their own opinions prevail , and too many place too much of their Religion in censuring as Heterodox all that differ from them , and think it an evidence of their Godliness that they are Uncharitable ; and seeing many minds and waies , they think that punishment must heal them all : Not that they would be driven to their Brethren , but all their Brethren must be driven unto them .

In the midst of all these cross expectations , if you will consult with , and obey the Lord , I dare boldly tell you , it is past all doubt , that you must avoid extreams , and keep as tenderly the golden mean , in this point , as in any that concerns you . If you give Liberty to All that is called Religion , you will soon be judged of no Religion , and loved accordingly . If you so far close with any Party of them that walk in the faith of Christ , and the fear of God , as to deal rigorously with the rest , you will be hated by them as a Persecutor . And if men be oppressed in that which they value above their lives , it will tempt them to neglect their lives for their relief . If you joyn with no Church in the Lords Supper and other holy Communion , lest you seem to espouse the party that you joyn with , you will by most be judged to be carnally wise , self-seeking and irreligious , or one that is yet to seek for your Religion . If you restrain all that are against the great undoubted Truths of Christ , from infecting others , and own all that hold the Necessary Truths in Godliness and Charity , you will please both God , and most good men . And if you hold your personall Communion with those that are of your own judgement in lesser differences , this will not lose you the affections of the godly ( though of a few factious persons it may ) as long as you are a tender Father to them all , though you Communicate but with some . The Godly Emperours that supprest the Arrians and many Heresies , maintained the Novatians in the Liberty of their Churches , and were beloved both by the Novatians and the Orohodox . But if you cou●● be the happy instrument of taking away the Divisions of the Godly , that there might be no such thing as Parties or Separations known among them ( though diversity of opinions there will be ) ( and if you could give all the Ministers of the Nation a pattern of such union of the tolerable dissenting parties in your own Pastors , with whom you shall Communicate ) this would be the way to lift you highest in the Esteem and Love of all your people , and make them see that you were appointed of God to be a Healer and Restorer ; and to glory in you , and bless God for you as the instrument of our chiefest peace . And O what a precedent and preparative it would be , for the Healing of all the Protestant Churches through the world ! And certainly your Highness hath a fair opportunity for this happy work ▪ You enter in a season when we are tired with contention , and sensible of our loss and danger , and tenderer then formerly of one another , and the most angry parties are much asswaged , and there is not so much reproach and bitterness among the Godly , as lately there hath been . A Spirit of Peace and Healing is lately risen in the hearts of many thousands in the Land , and Ministers that differed , do lovingly associate , and most do feel the smart of our Divisions , and are so prepared for a perfecter closure , that they wait but for some Leading hand . I am certain that there are Healing Principles before us , and a temperament is obvious to judicious charitable men , upon which we might accord . And , though some are too rough to lie in any building , yet moderate men are to be found of every party , that deserveth your encouragement , whom you may use as a precedent to the rest , and instruments to promote this work . It is you that have those great advantages that can facilitate that which to others were impossible : and from you it is expected . In this Book , and one of Confirmation , which I lately published , I confidently affirm , is contained much of that Reforming , Reconciling Truth which must heal us if ever we be healed . And though the study of such matters require much time , yet seeing God commandeth Princes that the Book of his Law depart not out of their mouthes , but that they meditate in it day and night , that they may do according to it , Iosh. 1.8 . I may suppose that they will be willing also to meditate on such Books as help them to understand it . I should have been as ready as another to censure such an address as this , as guilty of presumptuous boldness , but that I consider what is the work of my Calling , and what it is to be faithfull to the Eternall God , and am conscious of fidelity to your Highness in my boldness , and know that these are necessary Truths , and that to the Counsellors of Peace is joy , Prov. 12.20 . and have no interest in this world that I regard , in comparison of the Churches happiness . My earnest Prayers for your Highness shall be , that your own soul being first subjected and devoted wholly unto God , you may Rule us as one that is Ruled by him , and never know any Interest but his , and that which is subservient to him , and may escape that stumbling stone , on which the Princes of the earth do commonly dash themselves in pieces , even by espousing an Interest contrary to Christs , and so growing jealous of his holy waies , and falling out with them : and that God would endue your Highness with that heavenly Wisdom , that is first Pure , and then Peaceable , Jam. 3.17 . and you may escape the flattering suggestions of the Wisdom of the flesh , and serious Piety may be the first part of your Policy , that so the Eternall God may be engaged in the Protection of your Dominions and You : That you may alwaies remember , that you are Christs and your Peoples , and not your Own : and that the diligent promoting of GODLYNESS and CONCORD may be the study and resolved work of your Life . This is the way , and only this , ( let flesh and blood say what it will ) to make you truly Great and Happy . God is the Center and Common Interest of all his servants . Keep close to him , and they will all keep close to you . There is no other Common Interest , nor any thing that the Godly do so highly value . If they see that it is indeed for God , they can bear any thing , or do any thing ; for they are wholly devoted to him alone . The more of God appeareth on you , and the more you promote his Interest in the world , the highlyer will you be advanced , and the dearer will you be to all that Love him . And even with the ungodly multitude , that Piety is honoured in Princes , that is despised in their neighbours ; and the hand of God is plainly demonstrated in their surviving Honour ; the names of Pious Princes being Great , when the Greatest leave a name that is vile , even in the mouthes of common worldly men , who are ready to keep a Holy-day for a Saint when he is dead , though they hate or will not imitate the living . Your Zeal for God will kindle in your subjects a Zeal for you . The mo●e your Life and Government is Divine , the more Divine will you appear , and therefore the more Amiable and Honourable to the Good , and Reverend to the evil . Parliaments will Love and Honour you , and abhor the motions that tend to a division , or your just displeasure . Ministers will heartily Pray for you , and Praise the Lord for his mercies by you , and teach all the people to Love , and Honour , and Obey you . The people will rejoyce in you ; and you will be Loved or Feared of all : Such happiness attendeth serious Piety , when impiety , selfishness , and neglect of Christ is the shame and ruine of Prince and People . I crave your Highness pardon of this boldness , and your favourable acceptance of the tendered service of

So also when some have been hotly condemning us as being against Bishops , I ask them what a Bishop is ? and what sort of Bishops it is that they mean ? And most of them are unable to give me a rational answer to either of the Questions ? But some that are wiser , though they know no more sorts of Bishops but one , yet they can say , that by a Bishop they mean an Ecclesiastick Governour of Presbyters and the people . And if so , then why do they vilifie Bishops under the name of Presbyters ? I have here shewed you that if this be all , then every Parish hath a Bishop where there is a Pastor that hath Chappels , and Curates under him : Or any two Ministers that will subject themselves to a third , do make a Bishop . You delude your selves and others , while you plead only in general for Bishops : We are all for B●shops as well as you . All the Question is , What sort of Bishops they must be ? Whether only Episcopi gregis , or also Episcopi Episcoporum gregis ? and if so , Whether they must be Bishops of single Churches , as our Parishes are , or a multitude of Churches , as Diocess●s are ? And if the last were granted , Whether these be not properly Archbishops ? In all other parts of the Controversie I find , that the followers of each party go much in the dark , and take much upon trust from the Teachers whom they value , and little understand the true state of our differences : So that it is more by that common providence , commonly called Good luck , that some of them are Protestants or Christians , then from any saving grace within them . Had Papists or Mahometans but as much interest in them , as the Bishops , it is like they would have been as much for them .

As for those of you that know your own Opinions , and the Reasons of them , you must needs kn●w that the Divines called Episcopal in England , are of two sorts , that very much differ from one another : And therefore supposing you to be the followers of these differing Divines , I shall accordingly furthe● speak to you as you are .

I. The Bishops of England , and their followers from the first Reformation , begun by King Edward the sixt , and revived by Queen Elizabeth , were s●und in Doctrine , adhering to the Augustinian Method , expressed now in the Articles and Homilies : They differed not in any considerable points from those whom they called Puritans : But it was in the form of Government , and Liturgy , and Ceremonies that the difference lay .

II. But of late years a new strain of Bishops were introduced , differing much from the old , & yet pretending to adhere to the Articles and Homilies , and to be Fathers of the same Church of England as the rest . I know of none before B p Mountague of their way , and but few that followed him , till many years after . And at the demolishing of the Prelacy , they were existent of both sorts . Would you know the difference ? If you have read the writings of Bp Jewel , Pilkington , Alley , Parry , Babbington , Baily , Abbot , Carlton , Morton , Usher , Hall , Davenant , with such like on one side ; and the writings of the New Episcopal Divines that are now most followed , on the other side , I need not tell you the difference . And if you will not be at the labour to know it by their writings , its like that you will not believe it if I tell you . For if you will take all on trust , I must suspect that you will put your trust in them to whom you are addicted .

The New party of Episcopal Divines are also subdivided : some of them are ( if their Defence of Grotius , and Grotius his own Profession may be believed ) of Grotius his Religion , that is , Papists : Others of them , though they draw as neer the Grotians as Protestants may do , yet own not Popery it self . So that we have three notable parties of Episcopal Divines among us . 1. The old Orthodox Protestant Bishops and their followers . 2. The New Reconciling Protestant party . 3. The New Reconciling Papists , or Grotians . A brief taste of the difference I will give you .

1. The Old Episcopal party , as I said , in Doctrine agreed with the Non-conformist , and held that Doctrine that now we find in the Articles , and Homilies , and in the Synod of Dort , where Bp Carlton , Bp Hall , Bp Davenant , and three more Divines of this Nation were , and had a great hand in the framing of those Canons , and by consenting , did as much to make them obligatory to us in England , as commonly is done in General Councils by the Delegates of most Nations .

But the New Episcopal Divines , both Protestants and Papists , do renounce the Synod of Dort , and the Doctrine of our Articles and Homilies , so far as it is conform thereto , in the points of Predestination , Redemption , Free-will , Effectual Grace , Perseverance , and Assurance of Salvation : following that Doctrine which is commonly maintained by the Iesuites and Arminians in these points .

2. The Old Episcopal Divines did renounce the Pope as Antichrist , and thought it the duty of the Transmarine Churches to renounce him , and avoid communion with his Church , as leprous and unfit for their communion . But the New Episcopal Divines do not only hold that the Pope is not Antichrist , but one part of them ( the Protestants ) hold that he may be obeyed by the Transmarine Western Churches as the Patriarch of the West , and be taken by us all to be the Principium unitatis to the Catholick Church , and the Roman Determinations still may stand , except those of the last four hundred years , and those , if they obtrude them not on others . So Bp Bramhall , and many more : And Mr Dow , and others tell us that the Canon Law is still in force in England , except some parts of it which the Laws af the Land have cast out . And the Grotians teach , that the Church of Rome is the Mistris of other Churches , and the Pope to stand as the Head of the Vniversal Church , and to Govern it according to the Canons and Decrees of Councils : and they receive the Trent-Creed and Council , and all other Councils which the Pope receives , excepting only against some School-points , and abuse of manners among the Papists , which their Canons and Decrees condemn .

3. The old Episcopal Divines did take Episcopacy to be better then Presbyterian Equality , but not nec●ssary to the Being of a Church , but to the Better being where it may be had . But the New Prelatical Divines of both sorts , unchurch those Churches that are not Prelatical .

4. The Old Episcopal Divines thought that Ordination by Presbyters without Prelates was valid , and not to be done again , though irregular . But the New ones take it to be No Ordination , nor those so ordained to be any Ministers , but Lay-men .

5. And accordingly the Old Episcopal Divines did hold the Forrein Protestant Churches , of France , Savoy , Holland , Geneva , Helvetia , &c. that had no Prelates , as true Churches , and their Pastors as true Ministers of Christ , and highly valued and honoured them as Brethren . But the New sort do disown them all as no true Churches , though they acknowledge the Church of Rome to be a true Church , and their Ordination valid .

6. The Old Episcopal Divines thought it lawful to joyn in actual Communion with the Pastors and Churches that were not Prelatical . But the New ones separate from their communion , and teach the people to do so , supposing Sacramental administrations to be there performed by men that are no Ministers , and have no authority .

7. The Old Episcopal Divines thought it meet to suspend , silence , imprison , or undo those Godly Divines that did not bow towards the Altar , or publish to their People Declarations or Instructions for Dancing on the Lords Day , or that did preach twice a day . But many of the New ones practically told us , that this was their judgement .

Of these differences I have given you some proof hereafter : and would do here in the express words of the Authors on both sides , were it not that I should be needlesly tedious , and that I should unnecessarily offend the particular Divines of the New party who are among us , by reciting their words . More of the differences I pass by .

I. And now I would know of those of you that follow the Ancient Episcopal Divines , what hindereth you from a charitable , peaceable Communion with those Orthodox Ministers now in England , that some of you stand at a distance from ? Doctrinal differences ( at least , requiring such a distance ) you cannot pretend . Bp Hall tels you in his Peace-maker ( after cited ) that there is none between you and the Forrein ( Presbyterian ) Churches . And as for the matter of Episcopacy , if you will insist upon the late English Frame as necessary , viz. [ That there be but One Bishop over many hundred Churches , and that he have the sole power of Excommunication , and that he rule by a Lay●Chancellor , &c. and be a Lord , and seconded with a forcing power , &c. ] then you will forsake the Iudgement of your Leaders : For they will tell you that some of these are but separable appurtenances , some of them corruptions and blemishes , and some not Necessary . What need we any more ado ? You see in the published Iudgements of Bp Hall , Bp Usher , Dr Holdsworth , Forbes , and others , ( after cited ) that they would have all Presbyters to be Governors of the Churches , one of them having a stated Presidency or Moderatorship , and this will content them . And are we not then agreed ? I am confident most of the Ministers in England would be content to yield you this : But what if there be some that are not of your mind concerning the stated Presidency which you desire ? will you therefore uncharitably refuse communion with them ? so would not your Leaders ! In this therefore you will forsake them , and forsake many holy Churches of Christ , and forsake charity , and Christ himself that teacheth you another lesson . Will it not content you that you have freedom your selves to do that which seemeth best in your own eyes , unless all others be of your opinion ?