He has, in the Treatise itself, made strictures upon or attempted the "Confutation" of about eight other treatises, of which he has not given all the titles. But passing over this " Confutation," such as it is, of the Brownists' first treatise, by making but this single remark, That whatever deference its author might have had for the Governess of the Church of England, he does not seem to have had due reverence for that greater Head whose wisdom in devising a scheme of Discipline he appears to impugn as impracticable, in these words, "Christ indeed hath showed an outward government unto His Church, whereof although we are not capable, partly, by reason of men's insufficiency to order it; and partly, by means of the crookedness of the common sort, who will not abide to be ordered by it; but especially, for that a whole Nation cannot so easily be brought to that uniform order as some one private Congregation: yet, assuredly, the nearer we come to this His ordinance, the more heavenly is that harmony and consent of ours."b In his "Manifestation of the Inconstancy of Brownism: Gathered out of two Treatises lately dispersed throughout the Land;" Alison says, he will set down their Articles which they "did" hold ; accordingly, in the next page, he presents what they purport to be, under the head of "The Articles which are so injuriously imputed to them; as they themselves have published." With what truth they may be said to have been " published" by the Brownists, can be inferred from their asserting in the treatise called "A Collection of certain Slanderous Articles given out, by the Bishops, against such faithful Christians as are now unjustly detained in their Prisons, &c.," where the Epistle informs us that" there are sparsed abroad throughout the Land, certain Articles of the Bishops' own devising against these men, to bring them into hatred with the whole Land," and terming those Articles "forged positions." Trying to retort upon the sufferers their objections against "set and stinted prayers," that they are unfounded, because "set prayers were used under the Law," Alison flies to the negative argument, that they "are not forbidden in the Gospel;" which is just as much to the point as that neither is the seventh-day Sabbath, nor circumcision, forbidden there! So, in the next paragraph, he finds no better way of defending the Prayer Book from the accusation that it is "a Pseudodiathesis," or "huge chaos of long-gathered and patched absurdities," than that because "no work of man, so not our Book of Public Prayer, can be free from all blemishes:" and, that "it being compared with the best treatise that these disturbers have brought forth, the most gross and blasphemous errour which they can prove therein, may 1. A True Description, out of the Word of God, of the Visible Church.2. A treatise, Of the Church Apparent.-3. A pamphlet, Of the Best Preachers in England.-4 A treatise which they have scattered abroad.-5. A pamphlet against Read Prayers.-6. Another pamphlet of theirs, in which the Book of Common Prayer is termed "a piece of swine's flesh."-7. A Collection of certain slanderous Articles.-8. A Collection of certain Articles and Confer ences. b P. 72. C P. 105. d P. 109. be justified in comparison of many that are delivered for sound doctrine in their pamphlets, if both of them be rightly understood:"a strange comparison this; considering the party from which it comes ! He makes a statement, elsewhere, which may be transcribed merely for what it contains that is historical. "They say, 'That all true Christians, within her Majesty's dominions, acknowledge her Majesty to be the supreme magistrate and governess over all persons, within the Church, and without the Church; yea, over all causes, ecclesiastical and civil.' Which assertion, if it had been received of the whole sect, then it had been a slander indeed; but inasmuch as in an assembly of about twenty persons, it was concluded, 'That her Majesty is not supreme Head of the Church, neither hath authority to make laws ecclesiastical in the Church; they must acknowledge a dissent of judgment amongst themselves, or else confess that there was a time when they were of another opinion, but now they have learned to be more wise. Yet the caveat that is given, hath a secret meaning; namely, a granting of the latter part of this Article, That her Majesty hath no authority to make any laws ecclesiastical. But this being so closely covered, I mind not to see it."b It grieves this opponent, that, by "these men," their Article, that "the laws ecclesiastical," are not derived from the Book of God, but culled out from that great Antichrist's canons, orders, and devilish policies; and not to be received or obeyed of any that love the Lord Jesus; is still "maintained," and "not unjustly imputed to them" for he is obliged to flee to his former shelter, that "the decrees and statutes of men, though holy, yet have their wants: in regard whereof," he adds, "I do acknowledge a want of perfection; but the deformity of these laws doth seem greater, partly by the means of such as should dispose them more uprightly; and partly by reason of others, who have a malicious eye in beholding, and an envious tongue in reproaching them."c Thus is it, to this hour; that is called "malicious" in any who speak the truth against admitted unrighteousness! defects," he goes on to say, in another place," there are in our government; we challenge no perfection; some corruption there is, oftentimes, in such as have the ordering of it; I defend not all." "f "d "Some Still would Alison impose upon the Brownists, as a hard necessity, that "they must prove that a private man may attempt reformation in the Church." Here we have not, however, lost sight of the Confuter's avowed purpose, "not palinodiam canere." Brownists had not much to fear from the reasoning of an antagonist like this: his production would enable them, on revising their various propositions, to strengthen themselves by its aid: neither would they much regard, from him, the abuse of denouncing their conduct as "a sottish schism;" nor more regard his competency for the task he had undertaken, when he turned his opponents over to the civil law as" the fittest argument to be used with these unreasonable men!"g Incidental notices have come under observation above, concerning a P. 109. b P. 111. c P. 112. 5 P. 139. d P. 138. the Tract intituled, “A True Description, out of the Word of God, of the VISIBLE CHURCH." Our historical researches would be exceedingly deficient of full particulars, if this invaluable document were not found in its relative connexion among the other primordia which have contributed toward the more correct understanding, and the advancement, of what is held to be Scriptural Discipline. This Tract has no title-page, or imprint, by which to discover from what individual, or from what place, it emanated: it consists of eight pages, quarto, and its colophon is the date, 1589. The objurgatory Joseph Hall assigns the authorship to Robinson's "Pastor." For so early a production, its excellence has been very little impaired by the results of later investigations. Accompanied by a multiplicity of Scripture references, the matter runs in these words: "As there is but ONE GOD and FATHER of all, one LORD over all, and one SPIRIT; so is there but one Truth, one Faith, one Salvation, one CHURCH,-called in one Hope, joined in one Profession, guided by one Rule-even the Word of the MOST HIGH.C "This CHURCH, as it is universally understood, containeth in it all the Elect of God that have been, are, or shall be: but being considered more particularly, as it is seen in this present world, it consisteth of a Company and Fellowship of faithful and holy people gathered in the Name of Christ Jesus their only King, Priest, and Prophet; worshipping Him aright, being peaceably and quietly governed by his Officers and Laws; keeping the unity of Faith in the bond of peace, and love unfeigned.d "Most joyful, excellent, and glorious things, are everywhere in the Scriptures spoken of this CHURCH. It is called the city, house, temple, and mountain of the Eternal God; the chosen generation, the holy nation, the peculiar people, the vineyard, the garden enclosed, the spring shut up, the sealed fountain, the orchard of pomegranates with sweet fruits, the heritage, the Kingdom of Christ; yea, his sister, his love, his spouse, his queen, and his body; the joy of the whole earth. To this Society are the covenant and all the promises made, a In his Com. Apol. p. 14. Whether Clyfton, or Smyth, be the "pastor" intended here, we cannot decide, as both names stand in that capacity in relation to Robinson. b The tract was reprinted, not only in Alison's " Confutation," but in Lawne's "Brownism turned the Inside outward. 1603."; and separately, with this addendum, "Printed in the time of this hopeful Parliament, for the good of God's people, which desire that Christ may reign in his own Ordinances. 1641." 4to. pp. 8. The word "Congregation" is substituted, in this edition, for "Church," in the heading, and several other places. The original is found entire in Wall's "More Work for the Dean." 1681. Gen. i. 1; Exod. xx. 3. I Tim. ii. 4; Deut. vi. 25; Rom. x. 8; 2 Tim. iii. 15; d Gen. xvii; 1 Pet. i. 2; Phil. i. 27; Eph. ii. 18. John viii. 41. 1 Cor. x. 3; John viii. 51; 1 John ii. 3, &c. Psal. 1 Cor. i. 2; Deut. xiv. 2. Deut. xii. 5; 37. Gen. xliv. John xvii; Rev. vii. 9; cxi. 1; cxlix. 1; Isa. lxii. 12; Eph. i. 1; Jolin vi. 37; iii. 14; xii. 32; Luke xvii. Zech. ix. 9; Heb. i. 8. Rom. viii. 34; Deut. xviii. 15; Matt. xvii. 5; Heb. i. 2; John iv. 23. Matt. xi. 29; 1 Cor. xi. 16; 1 Cor. i. 13; Mark ix. 50. John xiii. 34; iii. 18. [xlix.] 10; Psalm xlv. 6; Heb. v. 9; viii. 1; iv. 14. Gen. xiv. 18. Exod. xx. 4-8; Lev. x. 5. Mar. xiii. 34. Rev. xxii. 9. Eph. iv. 3; 1 Cor. xiii. 4; 1 Pet. i. 22; 1 John of peace, of love, and of salvation; of the presence of God; of his graces, of his power, and of his protection.a And, surely, if this CHURCH be considered in her parts, she shall appear most beautiful; yea, most wonderful, and even ravishing the senses to conceive, much more to behold; what then, to enjoy so blessed a communion! For behold, her King and Lord is the King of peace, and Lord himself of all glory. She enjoyeth most holy and heavenly Laws; most faithful and vigilant Pastors; most sincere and pure Teachers; most careful and upright Governors; most diligent and trusty Deacons; most loving and sober Relievers; and a most humble, meek, obedient, faithful, and loving People: every Stone living, elect, and precious; every Stone hath his beauty, his burden, and his order: all bound to edify one another, exhort, reprove, and comfort one another; lovingly as to their own members, faithfully as in the eyes of God.b "No Office, here, is ambitiously affected; no Law wrongfully wrested, or wilfully neglected; no Truth hid, or perverted: every one, here, hath freedom and power-not disturbing the peaceable order of the Church-to utter his complaints and griefs, and freely to reprove the transgression and errours of any, without exception of persons.c "Here, is no intrusion, or climbing up another way into the Sheepfold, than by the holy and free election of the Lord's holy and free People; and that, according to the Lord's Ordinance; humbling themselves by fasting and prayer before the Lord; craving the direction of his Holy Spirit, for the trial and approving of gifts, &c., "Thus, they orderly proceed to Ordination, by fasting and prayer; in which action the Apostles used laying on of hands. Thus, hath every one of the People interest in the election and ordination of their Officers; as also, in the administration of Offices, upon the transgression, offence, abuse, &c.; having an especial care unto the inviolable order of the Church, as is aforesaid.e “Likewise, in this CHURCH, they have holy Laws, as limits and bonds, which, it is lawful at no hand to transgress: they have laws to direct them in the choice of every Officer, what kind of men the Lord will have. Their Pastor must be apt to teach; no young scholar; able to divide the Word aright; holding fast that faithful 4. a Psal. lxxxvii; ibid.; 1 Tim. iii. 15; Heb. iii. 6. 1 Cor. iii. 17. Isa. ii. 2; Mic. iv. 1; Zech. viii. 3. 1 Pet. ii. 9. Isa. v. 1; xxvii. 2. Sol. Song. iv. 12; Isa. li. 3. Isa. xix. 25. Mic. v. 2; Matt. iii. 2; John iii. 5. Sol. Song. v. 2. Psal. xlv. 9. 1 Cor. xii. 27; Eph. i. 2, 3. Gal. iv. 28; Rom. ix. Psal. cxlvii. 14; 2 Thess. iii. 16. Isa. xlvi. 13; Zech. xiv. 17. Isa. lx; Ezek. xlvii; Zech. iv. 12. Ezek. xlviii. 35; Matt. xxviii. 20; Isa. lxii. b Sol. Song vi. 4, 9. Isa. lxii. 11; John xii. 15; 1 John v. 3. Eph. iv. 11; Acts xx. Rom. xii. 7. Acts vi. Rom. xii. 8. Matt. v. 5; Ezek. xxxvi. 38; 1 Pet. ii. 5; 1 Kings vii. 9; Zech. xiv. 21. Heb. x. 24. Lev. xix. 17; 1 Thess. iv. 9. 2 Cor. ii. 17; 3 John 9. Jer. xxiii. 28; 1 Tim. iii. 15. d John x. 1. Acts i. 23; vi. 3; xiv. 23. e 1 Tim. iv. 14; v. 22. Luke xvii. 3. Heb. ii. 7, 8. Matt. xi. 30; 1 Cor. xii. 28; Rom. xii. 8. Isa. lx. 8; Deut. xviii. 9-13. Gal. vi. 2. 1 Cor. xii. Rom. xii. 3, &c. Col. iii. 23; 1 John iii. 20. 1 Tim. iv. 2, 3; v. 21; vi. 14. Gal. vi. 12. 1 Cor. v. 1 Cor. vi; xiv. 30; Col. iv. 17. Rom. xvi. 17; Col. iv. 17. Word, according to doctrine, that he may be able also to exhort, rebuke, improve, with wholesome doctrine, and to convince them that say against it. He must be a man that loveth goodness: he must be wise, righteous, holy, temperate; he must be of life unreprovable, as God's Steward; he must be generally well reported of, and one that ruleth his own household under obedience with all honesty; he must be modest, humble, meek, gentle, and loving; he must be a man of great patience, compassion, labour, and diligence; he must always be careful and watchful over the Flock whereof the Lord hath made him Overseer, with all willingness and cheerfulness; not holding his office in respect of persons, but doing his duty to every soul, as he will answer before the Chief Shepherd.a "Their Doctor or Teacher must be a man apt to teach; able to divide the Word of God aright, and to deliver sound and wholesome doctrine from the same; still building upon that sound ground-work, he must be mighty in the Scriptures, able to convince the gainsayers, and careful to deliver his doctrine pure, sound, and plain, not with curiosity or affectation, but so that it may edify the most simple, approving it to every man's conscience: he must be of life unreprovable, one that can govern his own household; he must be of manners sober, temperate, modest, gentle, and loving.b "Their Elders must be of wisdom and judgment; endued with the Spirit of God; able to discern between cause and cause, between plea and plea; and accordingly, to prevent and redress evils: always vigilant and [super]-intending, to see the statutes, ordinances, and laws of God, kept in the church; and that, not only by the People in obedience; but, to see the Officers do their duties. These men must be of life likewise, unreprovable, governing their own families orderly; they must be also, of manners sober, gentle, modest, loving, temperate, &c.c "Their Deacons must be men of honest report, having the mystery of the Faith in a pure conscience; endued with the Holy Ghost: they must be grave, temperate; not given to excess, nor to filthy lucre.d "Their Relievers, or Widows, must be women of sixty years of age at the least, for avoiding of inconveniences: they must be well reported of for good works; such as have nourished their children; such as have been harbourers to strangers; diligent and serviceable to the saints, compassionate and helpful to them in adversity; given to every good work, continuing in supplications and prayers night and day." "These Officers must first be duly proved; then, if they be found 'blameless,' administer, &c.f "Now, as the persons, gifts, conditions, manners, life, and proof of these officers, are set down by the Holy Ghost; so are their Offices limited, severed, and divers.g a Matt. v. 19; 1 Tim. i. 18. Deut. xxiii. 10; 2 Tim. ii. 15. Tit. i. 9; 2 Tim. iv. 2. Tit. i. 7, 8. Jer. iii. 15; Ezek. xxxiv. 18; Acts xx; 1 Pet. v. b1 Tim. iii.; Tit. i.; 2 Tim. ii. 15; 1 Cor. i. c Num. xi. 24, 25; 2 Chron. xix. 8; Acts xv; d Acts vi. 3; 1 Tim. iii. 8, 9. f 1 Tim. iii. 10. Mal. ii. 7; 1 Tim. iii. 1, &c. e 1 Tim. v. 9, 10. * 1 Cor. xii. 12, 18, 28. |