Epistle to the Bishops and Ministers of the Church of England

I. Concerning the 39 Articles, &c.

As we have already hinted, that (in our judgment) some things in the 39 Articles of the Church do admit of some amendment, We shall therefore humbly propose our Doubts in that case, that the Fundamentals being secured, other things may the more easily be reconciled.

1. Our first scruple concerns the third Article, where it requires, Belief that Christ went down into Hell, besides his being in the state of the Dead, and buried in the Sepulcher. Now this Passage is so dubious, as that even Mr. Rogers, who wrote a Book in defense of the 39 Articles, doth confess, that the native and undoubted Sence of this Article is not known, so that we conceive it ought not to be required as an Article necessary to the Christian Faith.

2. In the 8th Article all things contained in the three Creeds, are required [thoroughly to be believed,] in some of which, is the said clause, of Christ's Descension into Hell, (the meaning whereof is doubtful.) And some terms in the Creed of Athanasius, are so hard to be understood, that we think they ought not to be imposed as necessary: We humbly conceive the Modesty of Hillary, more safe than some os the Zealous Speeches of Athanasius, who tells us

And here both the Modesty and Caution of Mr. Calvin also is worth our Consideration, who speaking of the Titles, or Expressions, viz. A Trinity of Persons in the Unity of the Godhead, saith,

If the Names have not been without cause invented, we ought to take heed that in rejecting them we be not justly blamed of proud Presumptuousness. I would to God (saith he) they where buried indeed, so that THIS FAITH WERE AGREED OF ALL MEN, That the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are ONE GOD, and yet that the Father is not the Son, nor the Holy Ghost the Son, but distinct by certain Properties. Instit. l. 1. c. 1. Sect. 5.

3. The 13th Article would have it believed, that no Works done without Faith in Jesus Christ are pleasant to God, &c. Which we think is doubtful, considering how it is said that the Prayers and Alms of Cornelius were come up for a Memorial before God. Act. 10. 1, 2, 3. yet 'tis certain he did not then know Jesus Christ.

4. The 18th Article seems doubtful, where it teacheth, that none can be saved who diligently frame their life according to the Light or Law of Nature, &c. Whereas if God have given them no other Law or Light to walk by, we conceive it more safe for us to leave them to the Lord (who will not gather where he hath not strewed) than thus to censure them.

5. The second Paragraph of the 27th Article may well be omited, seeing it is granted by learned Protestants, that there is no plain Scripture for Infant Baptism. Instead of which Paragraph it may safely be inserted, that the Infants of Christians should be devoted to God by Prayer and Blessing, which may be justified by the Law of Nature, and specially by the Words of Christ, Mat. 19. 6.

6. The 36 Article not necessary to be imposed as an Article of the Christian Faith, seeing that Book of Consecration of Archbishops, Bishops, ordering of Priests and Deacons, is not of Divine Authority; and it must needs be more safe to refer the business of Consecrating, or ordaining Christ's Ministers (of what rank soever) to the Rules given in the holy Scripture.

And hence we do further conceive, it is very needful that those severe Sentences of Excommunication contained in the Book of Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiastical (specially these two, contained in Can. 5. & 9.) be recalled. For seeing they themselves (that composed the 39 Articles) were but Men, (though pious Men) and therefore (as themselves teach, Art. 21.) might possibly err, even in things pertaining to God. Therefore (as they further say) things ordained by them, have neither Strength nor Authority, unless it may be declared, that they be taken out of the Word of God. Nor ought the Church to enforce anything to be believed for necessity of Salvation, which is either against or besides the Word of God, as they also teach, Article 20. Thus much of the 39 Articles.

II. Concerning the visible Church of Christ.

1. As it is rightly acknowledged by Christians generally, and particularly by the Church of England, Article 19. That the Church of Christ is a Congregation of faithful Men, in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments duly administered according to Christ's Ordinance, in all those things, which of necessity are requisite to the same; So it may be as truly observed that none be admitted Members of this Visible Church, or Mystical Body of Christ; till they give evidence that they are faithful, at least by their personal Profession of the Faith of Christ, and Willingness to walk in newness of Life, according to the Principles or general Rules of the Christian Religion, contained in the holy Scriptures, the Rule of Faith.

2. And seeing it is the Work of God through which Man with the Heart believeth unto Righteousness, from which Faith only can proceed that Confession with the Mouth which is to Salvation; That therefore it may be firmly agreed, that human force or violence is not the means ordained of God to propagate the Church of Christ. But that preaching the Gospel, and walking holily in Charity towards all Men, are the true and proper means to increase the Church, according to the Will and Commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all Nations in that behalf.

III. Concerning Regeneration, and Baptism.

1. That as Conversion or Regeneration is necessary to the Christian-state of every Sinner, so it may be jointly held and professed that the Baptism of Repentance, for Remission of Sins, is an Ordinance of Christ, and necessary to the Admission of all Men to the Privileges of his Church: and that the things required of all that are to be baptized, are Repentance, whereby they forsake Sin, and Faith, whereby they steadfastly believe the Promises of God, made to them in that Sacrament.

2. That as it is granted on all hands, that Immersion in Water agrees best with the Word baptize, and was the primitive way of baptizing; so this Ordinance may therein be restored to its purity according to its primitive Institution; And that to this end, there may be Baptisterions, or fit Places to baptize in, appointed for the Solemn Performance of this Ordinance.

IV. Concerning Infants, or Little-Children.

1. That all Infants of Christians be solemnly devoted to Christ by Prayer and Blessing, and that the Ministers of Christ be assistant in this Work, not forbidding them this Blessing, Mat. 19. 13, 14.

2. That every Minister of Christ residing in any Country-Village be obliged, in Consideration of convenient maintenance, to teach all the Children in his precincts to read the Holy Scriptures, and to instruct them in the Principles of the Christian Religion (Heb. 6. 1, 2.) and that they may be baptized, when they shall profess Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. And that the like care be used in Cities, and great Towns, in such manner as may be most convenient.

5. Concerning laying on of Hands.

1. That the fourth Principle of Christ's Doctrine (called Laying on of Hands,) be restored 〈◊〉 its due use and purity in the Church▪ namely, tha • when any Converts are Baptized, then Praye •• with the Laying on of Hands, be speedily made t • God for them, that they may receive the Promi •• of the Spirit by Faith, and that it may retain i • ancient Titles, given it by the Holy Ghost, (viz. Laying on of Hands, or a Principle of the Doctrine 〈◊〉 Christ.

2. To the end this service of God be not neglect • that it may be allowed, that all faithful Oversee • of particular Congregations, may perfor • this Service upon the newly Baptized; special • in the absence of such a Minister as has a mo •• general charge, be he called the Angel, or Messenger of the Churches. And that care be take • that the Christians who have not known th • Principle of Christ's Doctrine, be deliberately instructed concerning it, before they be made conformable to it.

6. Concerning public Prayers, and the manner 〈◊〉 singing the Praises of God in the Churches. An • of the removal of such Ceremonies as 〈◊〉 not to Edification.

1. Seeing the Prayers contained in holy Scrip • ure (and especially the Lord's Prayer) are suf • icient to direct the Man of God in that duty of Prayer in the Church, that therefore the Book of Common Prayer be not imposed, and that • t may be in the liberty of the Minister to pray • n the Church according to the ability which God hath given him, that so the Spirit of Prayer, as well as the Order of it, may be preser • ed.

2. That it be jointly agreed that singing the Praises of God in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual • ongs, is a holy Ordinance of God, and that • he order and Spirit of that Duty be restored ▪God assisting) according to 1 Cor. 14. and other Rules contained in the Holy Scripture. And that Musical Instruments, bowing to the Altar, the • ign of the Cross, the Surplice, or any other, unne • essary Ceremony, be prudently removed out of • he Service of God in all Churches.

7. Concerning Church-Discipline.

1. That the Exercise of Discipline be restored in 〈◊〉 Churches according to the Scriptures, and 〈◊〉 Doctrine of the Church of England, fore •• cited in this Epistle.

2. To the intent that no Sinner be indulged in • is Iniquity for Money, that it may not be p • r • itted that any Officer concerned in the Execution of Discipline, take any manner of Fees o • the Offenders, or any other Person for them And that such Ministers be entrusted with th • Exercise of Discipline, as are Men of know Integrity, Holiness and self-Denial. And th •• holy Discipline be executed in or near the plac • where the Offences are committed, accordin • to the Order of the primitive Churches.

8. Concerning Ordination, and Preaching the Word.

1. That the Election and Ordination of Min • sters, of what Rank soever, be restored (where • in it shall appear to have been neglected) in 〈◊〉 most solemn manner that may be, accordi •• to the Scriptures: And that such Ministe •• among the Baptized Believers, as shall be fou •• to have been so elected and ordained, be •• lowed to preach the Gospel, to edify the Pe • ple, and to dispense the holy Ordinances.

2. That the primitive liberty of prophesyi •• to Edification, Exhortation, and Comfort, be 〈◊〉 stored to the Church, i. e. as it shall please 〈◊〉 to give Men the Gift of Teaching, Exhorta •• on, &c. they may be permitted with Prude •• to edify the People by the modest Exercise •• their Gifts in the Churches.

9. Concerning the M • intenance of Christ's Ministers, and the Relief of poor Christiant.

1. That it be agreed, that the Relief of the Poor, 〈◊〉 that those who preach the Gospel should 〈◊〉 of the Gospel, are God's Ordinances, and 〈◊〉 be performed with all Faithfulness by all • hristians according to their Ability. But that 〈◊〉 Methods for performance of them, are •• ythes for the one, or Assessment for the other, 〈◊〉 only jure humano, and that therefore the same •• wer Magistratical which gave being to these • ethods, may lawfully alter the same to the • tter when they please.

2. And that therefore it be further agreed and •• clared, that the way asfign'd in holy Scripture 〈◊〉 the support of Christ's Ministers, and the •• lief of Poor Christians, is by a free Contribu •• on, to be constantly upheld in the Churches, •• cording to every ones Ability; and the Mo •• y so collected to be entrusted in the Hands 〈◊〉 the Deacons of the Church, and by them to 〈◊〉 faithfully distributed as occasion requires. • nd that therefore such as will stand to Christ's •• lowance, and for his Name-sake minister the • ospel freely to the Gentiles, may be still had in • eputation; and sent forth by the Church 〈◊〉 restore Christianity where it is corrupted; 〈◊〉 to plant the Gospel where it is not known.

10. Concerning Separation.

1. It's here propounded, as greatly necessary to a true • Christian state, that some effectual Course be resolve • upon, to keep (as far as may be consistent with Trut • and Charity) a holy and just Distinction, between thos • who lead wicked and Scandalous Lives, and them tha • live holily, according to the general Rules of Christianity, without respect of Persons.

2. That this Care be taken more especially concerning the Ministry; otherwise we shall still have multitudes of profane and debauched Men set up as Leaders. And we see by Experientce the People are too ready to follow their ill Examples, and the consequence mus • needs be lamentable; as it is written, They eat up th • Sins of my People; and set their Heart on their Iniquities, and there shall be like People like Priest; And 〈◊〉 will punish them for their Ways, and reward the • their Doings. Jer. 15. 18.

II. Concerning the means to effect the Unity desired.

1. That it would please you, the Bishops of the Church of England, to petition the King's Majesty, that it may be made lawful by an Act of Parliament, or by his Royal Permission, for a competent Number of Representatives of such Dissenters, as have a mind to unite with the Church of England, to meet in Christian Counsel with yourselves, and to agree (upon mature Deliberation) on such Articles as may (if God see i • good) put a Period to our present Animosities and Divisions.

2. That if these Proposals do not hold Agreement with the good old way of Christianity, then we desire they may be rejected, and that you would be pl • ased to propose things which may be more effectual to procure the Unity desired. For our Record is on high, and we have also the Testimony of our Conscience, that in Sim • licity, and godly Sincerity, not with fleshly Wisdom, but by • he Grace of God, we desire to have our Conversation 〈◊〉 the Gospel with you, and with all that love Christ 〈◊〉 our Nation. Trusting in the Lord, that the u •• ting of such in the Truth in general, may effectually • ove many to Jealousy with themselves, who are now •• tangled in Error, or involved in Profaneness, that • hey may be converted from the Evil of their Ways, and • onsequently our Nation to abound with all Blessings, • specially the Blessing of the Gospel of Peace. For Godliness hath the Promise of the Life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Finally, if these Endeavors for Christian Concord with all that fear God, and work Righteousness in this Nation, be rejected, yet herein shall we have some Peace and Comfort, that we have made the best Essay we could for Brotherly Concord with them: Being also • eriously desirous utterly to forget all the hard things which in time past we have suffered from our Country-Men. Hoping that the sober Protestant hath had good Occasion by this time to observe, that God Almighty hath pleaded the Innocency of our Principles and Purpose, from the Evils too frequently▪ and most unjustly suggested against them; and that therefore we may now with the greater freedom of Speech, express ourselves as in the Premises, and conclude with the modest Speech of Augustine.

This then is our Desire, which we do allege by these Letters unto your Reverence, First, if it may be that you would confer with our Bishops peaceably and quie • lie, to the End that Error be taken away from those in whom it shall be found, and not that Men be taken away, nor punished, but gently corrected.

But before we shut up this Epistle it will be needful to answer two Objections which may seem to be of 〈…〉 we have said.

Obj▪ 1. It will be objected, That we ask or desir • many things, and grant but few.

Ans. 1. That we hope we have desired nothing bu • what is rational, according to the sound Principles 〈◊〉 Christianity; and which will be profitable to the Churc • of God, when granted.

2. We stand ready to hear what our Friends of th • Church of England, will require of us, to answer though • Kindnesses which we desire of them, and hope we shadeny them nothing which we may lawfully grant.

2. Obj. That the Alteration which we propose in t •• case of Baptism, amounts to a Renunciation of th •• Christianity, and to begin anew to become Christians▪

Ans. The Church of England does not only retai • the Substance of what Truth • he hath received concernin • Baptism, by altering to the better; but will indeed the be consistant with the Truth of her own Doctrine in the fi • paragraph of her 27th Article, and her vulgar Catechis • which she hath rather made void hitherto by the Custo • of Paedobaptism.

2. If we take the Text Act. 19. 5. according to t • Exposition of the Ancients, and divers Modern Writ • (as that is indeed the native and clear Sence of t • place) It will then be a good president to the Chur •• of England to alter the Subject and Manner of her Ba • tism; for here we see, these Ephesians being not right instructed concerning the grounds of Baptism, when th • were baptized unto John's Baptism, are therefore ba • tized again, upon more perfect Instruction; Yet 〈◊〉 they not renounce the least part of Christianity, 〈◊〉 any Truth which they had received concerning Baptis • But did rather perfect that Infirm Baptism which th • had received. And it is a just Presumption that the first Baptism was more valid then Paedobaptism, 〈◊〉 Infants know nothing at all, either what they do, what is done to them, but oppose it what in them 〈◊〉 , whereas these at Ephesus were Disciples, ver. 1, • uch as did know unto what they had been baptized, 〈◊〉 . 3, and yet are baptized again, because not duly in • ormed before concerning the grounds of Baptism; and • his is written for our Learning, when our case is like • heirs.