Historical Memorials Relating to the Independents, Or Congregationalists

Page 137.-Beheading of Strafford; its effect upon other State culprits; a
poetical dialogue between Strafford and Laud-Vote, to Reform Episcopal
Government-Sixteen Particulars-Remarks, introductory to the title of
Bagshawe's "Two Arguments"-Heylyn's account of Bagshawe's Readings,

at the Temple-Bagshawe's own account-Who the chief conflicting Parties;

a result foreseen, but not the catastrophe - The illegality of the New

Canons charged-Opposed to Common Law-Opposed to the spirit of

Magna Charta-These Canons void, from legal irregularity-Also, in them-

selves The Oath, how otherwise nullified-Wherein it Overthrows the

King's Supremacy-And, sets aside the King himself- Crafty substitution

of "See" for Church" of Rome-Grounds of illegality, recapitulated—

Remarks The Penalty incurred, by the Clergy-A Premunire-Defined—

Its rigour, the consequence of perpetual encroachinent by the Clergy-Chan-

cellor Audley's rebuff, concerning the Bishops-Their Jus Divinum claim of

Jurisdiction, not admitted-Epigrammatic conclusion- White's description

of the Bishops' usurpations-Hall tries to implicate the King-The Bishops'

miscarriage, when they had wrought the popular rage to its height-Make

their presence necessary to the integrity of Parliaments-Excluded by Act

-The King's alleged "unadvised" rashness, and its consequences related-

He passes the Bill for excluding all persons in “ Holy Orders" from Parlia.

ment, and further disabling them-The two Houses make an Ordinance

declaratory of a Reformation of the Church-And avow the Popular basis

of the British Constitution-The King hoists his Standard-The Commons'

Vote to suppress the Book of Sports, with other Ecclesiastical innovations

-The King, on the field, denounces his "enemies," specifically-The Par-

liament under apprehensions, confer with the General Assembly-They put

forth afresh the Catalogue of Grievances; which increases dissension-They

show their superiority, under the peculiarities of the times.

CHAP. XLIII.

COTTON'S CONSTITUTION OF A CHURCH.—HIS ANSWER TO BALL.-BREWSTER.

Page 154.-Circumstances under which Cotton transmitted his Manuscripts-

This of the True Constitution, etc., declares his sentiments, of the mode of

conducting Public Worship-Of Church Government-Of the Power in-

herent in the Church, derived through the body to the officers-Title of

Cotton's Answer to Ball-Prayer, in general; how it becomes lawful-Posi-

tions stated and explained: necessity and expediency of Prescribed Prayer,

argued-No parallel can be reasonably drawn between reading the Scriptures

and reading Prayers-A shifting of the question, to argue from Prayers de-

vised by Men to those prescribed by God, or conversely-Necessity of set

words for harmonious Singing, no plea for imposed Prayer-Of Godly Helps

to Prayer-Why the intrusions upon Churches, of magistrates, ought to be

resisted-Of Catechisms and Confessions-Lawful Prayer; when, a will-

worship: a difference between the Word read and preached-The Jews, and

Christ, afford no authority for imposing set Forms, by example-Reformed

foreign Churches, their liberty: Truth to be sought out; not to be taken

for granted-Unlawful administrations, to be withdrawn from-Remarks

on another of Cotton's pieces-Death of William Brewster-Account of

him.

CHAP. XLIV.

CONTROVERSY BY HERLE; R. MATHER AND W. THOMPSON; RUTHERFURD;

MATHER.

Page 166.-"The Independency on Scriptures of the Independency of Churches,"

appears-Herle's frankness-Co-ordinated dependence, affirmed by him-

His four points-Of the pattern of the Jewish church-Of Christ's institu-

tion-A position; remarked on-Of the Apostles' practice-Of a Ministerial

Institution-The argument, not progressed in- Entreaty, resorted to-

Mather and Thompson, answer Herle-Why they undertook that- No Synod

is a Church - Not less than seven, a Church-Instance, of Acts xv. defective

-A concession by Herle, taken advantage of-Enforced-Argument from

divers sorts of Synods, invalidates the whole-That "tell the Church,"

means tell the Elders; draws not the precept beyond a particular Congrega-

tion-Argument enlarged, from appeals of one National Church to another

-A remark, nullified-A dilemma, deduced from Acts xv.-Another, from

Num. viii. 10-When "imposition of hands" is to be performed by Non-

officers-Elders existed before any Classis or Synod; whence no concurrence,

in the first Ordination of Elders-Choice of Ministers, if not by the Church;

what perplexities ensue-The Answerer's conclusion-Notice of Strictures

on the foregoing joint "Answer," by Rutherfurd; and the "Answer" de-

fended, by Mather-How disputes are beneficial-Number of Rutherfurd's

citations—His argument for "appealing," wherein prejudicial—Further per-

plexity-Power to determine, instanced in Antioch-Of a power beyond

"rebuking ;" and of what is any "assembly" where preaching is?— Doctrine,

dispensed by the Pastor; discipline, by the Church-Where does " supre-

macy" lie?-Antioch's right, how inferred-Competency of three Elders to

decide-Discipline or Sacraments, which the greater-All Churches, have

equal authority-That, by the light of nature-Paul Baynes, of the Churches

at Thessalonica and Jerusalem-Those at Corinth, Ephesus, and Antioch,

each but one Congregation. The alleged Synod at Cambridge, N. E.-

Thomas Fuller-The Eldership alone, not a Church-No New Testament

record, that ordinary Pastors or Elders imposed hands on ordinary Pastors,

etc.—Election, essential; and so, more than the rite of Ordination— Scrip-

ture tells what the Presbytery did to Timothy, but not what he must do with

one.

CHAP. XLV.

FERNE AND BRIDGE ON RESISTANCE.-BOOK OF SPORTS BURNT.-ASSEMBLY

OF DIVINES CALLED.-THEIR ADDRESS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.-

SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT.-THE FIVE DISSENTING BRETHREN.

Page 188.-Moral heroism, timely evinced -- Ferne and Bridge, in collision—

Bridge importuned to write on Civil Government-Bases of the argument

-Power springs from the People, and returns to them-Justice Fortescue

cited-Three grounds stated for the Parliament arming-Testimonies, for

Resistance-Scripture, animadverted upon-Bridge's principle of Tolera-

tion, finally announced-" His Majesty's Book," burned by the Hangman—

Title of the Ordinance for an Assembly of Divines-The Ordinance-Hey-

lyn's account of it-They and the Parliament communicate with Scotland-

Particulars-Foresight, and skilful conduct, of Nye and Vane-Speedy ap-

proval of the Covenant-Heylyn's description of its Enforcement-First

two Articles of the Covenant-The King prohibits it-Abuse bestowed on

the Westminster Assembly-The Five; or, The Anti-Scotia Phalanx.

CHAP. XLVI.

SIMPSON'S FAST SERMON.-NYE'S EXHORTATION.

THE SCOTS' COMMISSIONERS.-

BAILLIE'S DISCLOSURES.-OF MIXT COMMUNION.

Page 205.-Title of Simpson's Sermon-His Exhortation to the House of Com-

mons-Text, etc.-Nye's Discourse before reading the Covenant in the pre-

sence of the Commons and the Assembly-Design of it-Against Popery-

Against Prelacy-What Baillie represents to be its chief aim; and, when

the Commissioners joined the Assembly-The debate of the office of Doctors,

and Ruling Elders-The Scots begin to intrigue with Foreigners-Tem-

porary procedure towards the Independents-Tracts on Mixt Communions.

CHAP. XLVII.

THE FAMOUS APOLOGETICAL NARRATION. THE SAINTS' APOLOGY.

Page 221.- Preamble; and the Title of the "Narration"-Disinterested conduct
of the Licenser-The Apologists address themselves to the Parliament-
Why they went into Exile-1heir purpose-Found more Peace abroad, but
less Godliness than at home-Their Advantages, from Predecessors-And,
Encouragement, from their expatriated Brethren-Their special Resolution
Their Charity-Order of their Worship-Officers-Discipline-Three Prin-
ciples; New Testament Churches, their pattern; present judgment, not
binding, absolutely; not to reject any, even the meanest member of Christ—
Free Prayer, preferred-Each Church, Congregational-Their Eldership-
Of Communion of Sister Churches, and Suspension of such Communion-
Of the Magistrates' interposing power-Strictures on "Exemption" from
extrinsic authority-These Apologists adopt "a Middle Way "-Complain

of Calumnies-Their Moderation-Conduct, in the Assembly-Solicit of

the Parliament, Protection.—“The Saints' Apology”—Publisher's explana-

tion-The Writer's plan-His Definition of a Church-The Matter of it-

The Form of it—Advantage of an Explicit Consent, or Covenant-Reason

for Separation-The term explained two ways-Why necessary, in England

-Argument, from restraining Free Prayer, to restraining the Gift of Teach-

ing-Duty of Members, individually-Argument, from analogy-Exactness,

disclaimed-H. Jacob's "fancy."

CHAP. XLVIII.

ANATOMY OF INDEPENDENCY.-THE ANATOMIST ANATOMISED.—QUERIES.—

OBSERVATIONS, ETC., BY A. S.

Page 238-Agitation produced by the Five-The "Anatomy," by Alexander

Forbes-Reverberates the Apologists' "noise"-Whence that "noise" had

been heard-Forbes's rule of judgment on the Apologists-His "scantling"

of their sayings and doings-Supposed instigators-Their aversion from any

National Church-His susceptibility to perceive a Stratagem-His allegation

that the Apologists practised Re-ordination-His representation concerning

their churches in Holland-His hearsay of Simpson's idea of a Pastor-His

statement of Simpson's judgment of Ruling Elders-Somewhat that the

Apologists complain of respecting the imputation of Brownism-Of the

efficacy of their Excommunication of Churches-Title of Simpson's Answer

to Forbes-Of this particular Controversy-False report of the constituents

of Simpson's church-And of Anabaptists in it-Retort of "Errors" upon

other than Congregational churches-Proof that Simpson had Protection

from the State of Rotterdam; honourable alike to them and to him-Another

false report, respecting "a mutual Covenant "-A flat contradiction to Forbes'

hearsay concerning Simpson's practice as a Pastor-Again, Forbes is contra-

dicted respecting Ruling Elders-Simpson invokes impartial justice-Queries

Proposed; Anonymous-Disadvantage of Licensers-Both sets of Dispu-

tants watched-Consequence of voting the Bishops antichristian-A higher

standard of Religion sought for-The Assembly of Divines impugned—The

Civil Magistrate's province and safeguard-The Church's foundation spiritual

-Reformation, is not in Formalities-Of more or less of Reformation-

Purity and Independence of Christ's churches-Forcible proposition con-

cerning universal Toleration-Of Witnesses for Christ-The argumentum

ad hominem applied to both sets of Reformers-A dilemma, out of the

Sacraments-Amplitude of Toleration required-A State Church, an aggre-

gate of Evils-Full title of "Some Observations," etc., by Adam Steuart-

The Imprimatur-The author's vexation at the "Five" combining-And that,

against the Scots particularly-Anecdote of James I.-A. S. betrays surprise

at the Apologists-Charges them with accommodating themselves to the

occasion-He turns a coaxer-Impeaches their sincerity—Singularity of his

logic-Collection of his taunts.

CHAP. XLIX.

BAILLIE. COTTON'S "KEYS."-" SION'S VIRGINS."

Page 254.-Finesse exposed-Again-Baillie's report of certain proceedings; and
his apprehension of the Independents' power in the Assembly-T. Goodwin
opposes the Directory-Baillie plots with Spang-Consternation produced
by the Apologetical Narration-Artifice resorted to-Expedients regarding
Ordination They fail - Assembly heat-Independents, unmanageable-
Aspect of Public affairs-Title of Cotton's treatise on the "Keys"- The
Power of, claimed by the Publishers, for the right heirs-The Key of Know-
ledge, its effects-Too much Power claimed for the People-Equitable
adjustment of it-As in Commonwealths-The will of Christ imagined-
Cotton's distribution of Church-power, set out-His scheme, or theory-
Asserted to be the very "Middle-way" of the Apologists-This coincidence
remarked upon-Of Prophesying, under four cautions-And, of a formal
Synod-The People's interest, and the Elders' authority, illustrated-A com-
bination of Elders of several churches, why not intrusted with the Key of
Discipline-- Remark of the Publishers-Cotton's first chapter, What the

Keys, etc. bellis second, Of their Distribution-His third, Assignment of

those of Knowledge and Order-His fourth, Of the Key of Church-Privilege

-His fifth, Of the Key of Authority-His sixth, Of the Power given to

Synods-His seventh, Touching the First Subject of all Power; with an

explanation of Independency." Sion's Virgins," Queries on Baptism-It

is not the Creature going in and out of Water-That Infants are of the

Kingdom-The mode of Baptizing—Distinction between the Seals under

the Gospel.

CHAP. L.

PURITAN TRACT, EDITED BY RATHBAND.-[JOHNSON.]

Page 272.-Title, "A Most Grave and Modest Confutation, etc."-Quotation

from Baxter, concerning it-Rathband's statement of its origination-Why

produced then-Cautionary remark-Charges against the Brownists, etc.,

set down, as justifying themselves, by the Puritan Writers of this Tract-

Separatists, addressed-And then, Waverers-Next, Puritans-Lastly, their

Church-Excusatory appeal-Length, apologised for-The divisions of the

Treatise "Brownist" objection, against the “Puritans" in limine-Defence

by a perverse application of the term "Anti-christian "-Remarkable con-

cessions regarding the necessity of Ordination-Equivocation about Oaths-

Maintenance, curiously vindicated—And, in four other paragraphs-Scripture

places, or references, alleged to be unskilful-These Puritans' infelicitous

Conclusion; instances from-Their testimony against themselves-Two

queries, instanced-Their accusation, of shameful Lying, confuted-Their

spirit, sufficiently exposed.-Johnson's Treatise of the Ministry of the Church

of England-Proofs of the authorship-Popish and English Priests, wherein

they agree; and wherein they differ from Pastors appointed by Christ-Con-

firmed, under thirty-three divisions.

CHAP. LI.

RATHBAND AND HIS OPPONENT, WELDE.

Page 289.-Remark on the course pursued in these Historical Memorials; with

the title of the "Brief Narrative"-Author's apology-Reasons for his plan

being synoptical-His limitations-Method of exhibiting the "Brief Narra-

tive" with the "Answer"-Title of Welde's Answer-His announcements

concerning this production—He reduces Rathband's method to three particu

lars, and characterizes them-Their grounds, also three-And the printed

authorities, perverted-The private Letters, incompetent proofs-Remark,

introductory-Chap. i. Of Platform and Discipline-Chap. ii. Of the true

Visible Church, in general— Chap. iii. Of the Matter of it—Chap. iv. Of its

Form-Chap. v. Of the first erecting a Visible Church.

CHAP. LII.

RATHBAND AND WELDE, CONTINUED.

Page 315.-Chap. vi. Of Church Power-Chap. vii. Of Membership-Chap.

viii. Of Dismission-Chap. ix. Of Communion, in general-Chap. x. Of

Communion of Churches-Chap. xi. Of Excommunication, and Re-accep-

tance-Chap. xii. Of Officers- Chap. xiii. Of Prophets —Chap. xiv. Of

Independency; and of Combination into Classes, etc.-Chap. xv. Of the

Magistrate.-Rathband's Postcript-Welde's Postcript.

CHAP. LIII.

REPLY TO A. S.

Page 341.-Full Title of this reply to A. S.-Why Anonymous-Commotion
created by the "Apology "-Cranford-Ridiculous Epithets-New England
Elders disallow Presbytery-Folly cf Peremptoriness-A. S. and W. R.
confronted-Parliament resolve concerning the Apologetical Narration-The
Scots' Commissioners and A. S.-Opposition endured by the Apologists-
Arrogance of A. S., how met-The Five, applauded-Modes of Discipline
contrasted-Effects of forcing Conscience-M. S., his idea concerning Tole-
ration-John Goodwin's portion of this Reply; his preface-Of Presbyterian
malevolence-Four Signs, indicative of religious peace-False position of the

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