32. "The popish priesthood is such in all the particulars aforesaid, as the Lord Jesus will consume with the brightness of His appearing in the light and power of his Gospel, before his second coming; 2 Thess. ii. 8; Rev. xiv. 6-8; xvii. 1 ; xviii. 20-23; with Jer. li. 60–64; Rev. xix. : such is also the priesthood of England: whereas, on the contrary, the pastor's office and function is to continue to the end of the world, even till we all meet together in the unity of faith, and acknowledgment of the Son of God, to a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; Eph. iv. 11-13; Rom. xii. 5, 8; Heb. xii. 28; v. 20; 1 Tim. iii; Matt. xxviii. 17; vi. 13, 14.

33. "Finally, therefore, the popish priesthood is such as none may have any spiritual communion therewith, but all ought to forsake and depart from it, though all princes under heaven should command the contrary; John x. 5; Rev. ix. 3; xiv. 9-11; xviii. 4; Amos iv. 4, 5; v. 5; Num. xvi. 24, 26; Matt. vii. 15; Psal. cxix. 113, 128; 2 Cor. vi. 14-17: such is also the priesthood of England: whereas, on the other side, the pastor's function is such as is not to be left but to be joined unto in the service of God, notwithstanding the prohibition of princes or any other whomsoever to the contrary; Eph. iv. 11, 12; 1 Tim. v. 17; vi. 13—15 ; Rom. xii. 4-8; 1 Cor. xii. 5, 28; xiv. 37; Matt, xxviii, 20,”

CHAP. LI.

RATHBAND AND HIS OPPONENT, Welde.

AGREEABLY to our resolution, at the commencement of this our undertaking, that we would work our way steadily through "evil report and good report ;" and that it shall never be said truly of us, Ne aspectum quidem hostis sustinere valuerunt; here, though having but just rid ourselves of one species of encounter, we enter upon another, with unshaken purpose. It is embodied in "A Brief Narration of some Churchcourses held, in Opinion and Practice, in the Churches lately erected in New England: Collected out of sundry of their own Printed Papers and Manuscripts, with other good Intelligences. Together with some short. Hints, given by the way, of their Correspondence with the like Tenets and Practices of the Separatists' Churches: And some short Animadversions upon some Principal Passages, for the Benefit of the vulgar Reader. Presented to Public View, for the Good of the Church of God; by W. R. 1644." 4to. pp. 55.

That this editor or publisher, is W. Rathband, the same as the foregoing, there can be no doubt; from the initials, from the bookseller's name, and from an allusion, in the Postscript, page 53, to the "Grave Confutation." If it be the same, there is, however, an effort to conceal it, for some cause which is not explained. His Preface opens thus::"Christian Reader; Give me leave, before I present thee with the Narration following, to apologize something for myself. I have not fallen upon this task for want of other work, nor out of any itching, much less ambitious desire to appear in print, which, as I never affected, so much less now, when it is become no singular praise; for, scribimus omnes, indocti, doctique: nor out of any malignancy of spirit against the men See back, p. 272.

a 2 Cor. vi. 8.

--

whose church-ways I here relate, whom, so far as I know them, I profess-God and my conscience bearing me witnessa-highly to love and honour in the Lord. But the first occasion of my thoughts, in this kind, was that a solemn agreement being, a good-while since, made between the Brethren of the Independent way, then, and still, residing in London, and those of the opposite judgment; wherein, amongst other things on both sides agreed upon, those Brethren promised then shortly to put forth a Narrative of their doctrine and practice in church-courses, that so it might appear where the differences lay. Which Narrative being once published, the materials whereof they then professed to be all ready, they also promised to join with the rest, in preaching against the Brownists, Anabaptists, and other sectaries. But the said Brethren -though sundry times called upon to put forth their Narrative, according to promise,b-have yet not only delayed, but at length altogether denied to do the same. Upon which denial, I began to entertain some thoughts of making a Narrative myself: and began so to do, but through many discouragements I laid it by again; till, of late, some of the said Brethren, that had formerly promised the Narrative, published a Narration Apologetical,' which seemed, in title, to me, a performance of the former engagement; but when I had read it, I found it nothing less [than Apologetical,] as being neither full nor clear, as a Narration ought to be but touching that, I will say no more, because others better able have [dealt,] and I hope will, deal thoroughly with it.

"Only I let the Reader know, that upon this occasion I resumed my former purpose; considering, now, the necessity of such a course, in regard, That not only themselves continued in that way, but also others, both ministers and people, out of ignorance or inconsideration were daily drawn aside thereto: new churches were erected according to their model; our churches and ministry, and God's ordinances in them, began to be neglected, slighted, deserted, yea contumeliously and scornfully reproached as 'Antichristian, Babylonish, false, and null,' that many were distracted and doubtful what to hold and do, and to which side to cleave some thought better of their ways, and others worse, than they deserved; and both sorts, for want of right information what they were! That, the full relation of their ways, if it did not turn men quite off from them, yet, at least might so far prevail as to make men pause awhile and inquire further into them before they were too far engaged; espe

a "It would grieve a tender heart to hear this man call 'God, &c.' and by and by to assault with horrible untruths and bitter invectives."..-Welde's Answer, p. 1. See it hereafter.

b"Some of us profess, solemnly, we never so much as heard of any 'promise.'.. If they did not this so soon as he would have them, let him know, the extreme distractions of these times, and the public service of some of these Brethren who were employed by the State, for a good space together, might justly hinder greater things than this." Ibid. p. 1, 2.

"Such contemptuous speeches and reproachful carriages cast upon the Brethren of the churches here, neither are nor ever were allowed by us... They are not alone in these reproaches; ourselves also are fellow-sufferers with them herein, from divers Sectaries now in London, whose usual tones and dialects these words he men. tions, are, and not the voice of Independents." Ibid. p. 2.

cially, might give occasion of a more full agitation of all these differences in this venerable Assembly of Divines now met for consultation about matters of this nature. That, all the printed books which I had seen, did not, together, make out a full story; and that what was in them here and there dispersed, could not be so satisfactory as to see all things together, in a short synopsis, with one view. That, myself, by Divine providence, had sundry intelligences lying by me, which, joined to what was already printed, might either make the story complete, or else might occasion and spur on some other-perhaps of themselves-to publish a better. And, lastly, That some of that way, contrary to their former promises and pactions, and laying by not only the due regard we think they should have had, of their Brethren of the contrary judgment, but also the public peace and common cause of Reformation— which, by such distractions is retarded-have, impetuously, both in pulpit and press, besides what they have done in private, laboured to promote these their popular church-ways as the only ways of God; and to make all men they could, to disrelish and abominate that which— for distinction' sake-we call 'Presbyterian' Government. These and other like things, after much pondering in my spirit, at last cast the balance, and caused me to resolve to pursue my first intention in this way as here you see.

"Now, lest I be mistaken, I desire the Reader to understand.. that I intend not.. to set down all things,.. but such things only, or for the most part, wherein there lies some difference between them and us, or other the best Reformed churches. Neither do I intend to wrap up all and every one of the Elders-much less, members-of the New England churches in the same imputations: forasmuch as.. some of them do not only differ from the rest, but have stiffly opposed the rest therein; which I write to preserve the just repute of some eminent persons there from such censures and hard opinions as others of them, perhaps, may seem to merit and incur."..

a "To show how far from this spirit and practice we have been, consider how loth we were to appear in the case, who, though we had books of this subject ready for the press, yet, by joint consent, suppressed them; haply to the great detriment of our cause, for that we were unwilling to blow a fire. When we did appear in pulpit or press, whether it was without instigation or not, and how sparing we have been ever since-until some late forced replies-and how inoffensive in our carriages and preachings, we leave to all godly to judge. Instance but in the Holland Brethren's Apology;' was it 'impetuously done?' Was it a mock 'Narrative,' a mere gull? as this man most abusively styles it. Was it not rather 'full of peaceableness, modesty, and candour; and seasonably needful,' as that Reverend man affirmed in print? Doth not W. R. know that about this time of 'promises and pactions,' or a while after, our Brethren of the Presbyterian way did write a Letter into Scotland with many of their hands to it, telling the ministers there, they did approve of their Government, and would join in the furtherance of it? Now, for him to bind our hands, and seal up our mouths, and then, underhand, at the same time to fore-determine the matter, and be engaged in that way, before any solemn dispute, and yet to accuse us for breaking 'pactions,' seems neither rational nor fair." Ibid. p. 2.

b"I crave leave.. to give some few directions... At the end of the several articles [in each chapter], are set down the proofs thereof, collected out of their printed papers and.. manuscripts... After the said proofs,.. follow, by themselves, quotations [references] of some one or more writers of the Brownists,' which,

Such is the plan on which the "Brief Narration" of W. R. is printed; and such, also, is the unusual manner in which the "Answer" to it is printed; that, to render both the more perspicuous, we shall resort to placing as notes the several portions of the latter which we deem useful. But we must previously prepare the reader by setting before him the necessary preliminary information.

We begin with "An Answer to W. R., his 'Narration of the Opinions and Practices of the Churches lately erected in New England :' Vindicating those Godly and Orthodoxal Churches from more than a Hundred Imputations, fathered on them and their Church-way by the said W. R. in his Book. Wherein is plainly proved: 1. That the Grounds of his 'Narration' are sandy and insufficient. 2. That the Manner of his handling it [is] unloving, and irregular. 3. That the Matter of it [is] full of gross Mistakes and divers Contradictions. 4. That the Quotations [are] extremely wrested, and out of measure abused. 5. That his Marginal Notes [are] Impertinent and Injurious.-By Thomas Welde, Pastor of the Church of Roxborough, in New England. Jude, 10 [first clause]; Prov. xviii. 17.-This is Licensed and Entered according to Order. Lond. 1644." 4to. pp. 68.

This Author's Epistle to the Reader" begins, "There was a law in Israel, that if any man did bring an ill name upon a Virgin of Israel,' the matter was to come before the Elders, and he was to be chastised, and amerced a hundred shekels of silver.' There is one W. R., if thou knowest the man, that hath brought many ill reports, not upon one virgin, but all the virgin churches of New England. When thou seest him, do so much as bring him forth to answer this law. Tell him, we purpose to try an action with him, and have satisfaction from him and if he saith he hath not raised these reports himself, but had them from others; then tell him again, from us, That cannot satisfy; for we have learned from Divine and human laws, that if any be taken reporting of slanders,‚—as we shall abundantly show he hath done in his Narrative,he may be charged as the raiser of them, until he can clear himself, by bringing such authors into light as will own them... To produce Barrowe, Browne, Robinson, etc. for authors, for they were dead before New England churches were born,—or H. W., T. P., and I know not what private Letters, lying by him in his study,-for we know not their voice,-[is not relevant]: nor let him say, 'it was told me,' as

being consulted with, it will appear that the opinions, &c. in the preceding articles, do very much agree with them: .. underneath the same,.. short animadversions,.. to admonish the vulgar and injudicious Reader, lest by reading things so plausibly put forth as some of them are, he should be ensnared at unawares... Ans, to 32 Q.' and Ans. to 9 l'os.,' and Discourse of Cov.; look for these in the book lately published by Mr. H. Peters. Cott. Cat.,' I call.. Mr. Cotton's Church Constitution, by way of Question and Answer: there are also cited two printed letters, under the same name... ..'Apol.,' that is The Apology of the Churches in New England, for the Church Covenant,' which I have by me, in MS. Most of the other quotations [references], are of letters between friend and friend. When you have Rob. Apol.,' that belongs to the allegation of the Brownists,' and is distinct from the former, [from New England]. The rest are more easy. Now the blessing of Heaven go with this poor pamphlet." Pref. fin.

a Deut. xxii. 18, 19.

he often doth, for we protest against such testimony; nor, I was informed so,' etc... for fama est mendax, and prejudice hardly speaks well of any. Wonder not, this Answer stayed so long:.. I thought it should need no other answer than itself, until I perceived some ill effects of it. But why do I undertake this work? I am one of the nearest kinsmen to those churches, of any other man in these parts:.. few or none are here, [who] have had more experience of New England 'churchcourses' than myself; .. and to whom I am returning, when God makes way... God knows my spirit, how exceeding loth I was to controvert with a Brother,—though but a defendant,—and to uncover his nakedness; but when God calls, I am bound with Moses, when he saw the Hebrew did wrong to his brother, to say, 'Why smitest thou thy fellow?'.. I think it not meet to answer all I could: .. neither is it possible for me to answer the sayings of his private Letters lying by him, such a ground of church-stories as I never heard of!-because I know neither who they are, nor what their own words are; or if I did, were it material... Nor is it my scope, to discuss the points of Discipline, that work is in abler hands,-but I look upon his book as a historical narration, and accordingly I frame my answer. Though he brings not the words of any of his authors cited,.. yet I have done it for him; especially in the last six or eight chapters, that you may judge whether he hath dealt fairly with them or not... When, at any time, in my answer, I say such an article, or such a clause, is untrue' or is 'false,' I am not willing to impute the falsity thereof to the author's knowledge; I would judge otherwise of him than so; but to the thing itself asserted... Thine, T. W."

By way of proem, or introduction, Welde writes, "As he [W. R.] saith he had laid by' the thoughts of it ['of making a Narrative myself'] a good while, through many discouragements;' so, I conceive, if he had cast them by for ever, and made the place of conception their grave, he had dealt better for the truth and himself. But he is very angry for want of 'Narratives:' one, he must have; and one he will have, be it right or wrong; and if neither New England nor Holland Brethren be worth a 'Narrative,' let him come, he will frame one himself; and this shall be no mock 'Narrative,' no mere gull, as the Holland-Brethren produced; but a more solid thing! Now, what it is, will appear, if we weigh three things: i. That the Grounds on which he builds it, are sandy and insufficient. ii. The Manner of his proceeding [is] unloving, and irregular. iii. The Matter of it, 1, full of gross mistakes, contrarieties to the truth, and contradictions to itself; 2, his 'quotations' abused extremely, and wrested; 3, his marginal notes, very scandalous and offensive...b

You would think that the Grounds on which all his work is founded, and all New England churches [are] taxed, had need be sound, even adequate; or else he will not prove himself a wise builder but they are these three; our own printed' books; private letters; other good intelligences, as himself saith, in his title.

For the printed Books which he quotes, they are writings of some godly and learned men there; but that these be rightly conceived [of]