(325) of the fpiritual' (word andKeyes. 6. And laftly I anfwer, that this is not the fubjed that youand we have to difpute of, It is Ecclefiailical Government by Miniflers, and not fecular by Magi- orates that is our controverfie. It is of the Power left byChrift to Paflors and not toPrinces. §. 25.Obje&. But at leaf$ thofeJbould be excommunicated that deny obedience to their BiJhops : that if a Tower that is left in the BiJhops themfelves, Whether the Magiflrate confent or not. .Anfw. a. Excommunication is a fentence that fhould fall on none but for fuch grofs and heinous fin, if not alío obflinacy and impenicency in chem,as is mentioned in Scripture: ding it in cafes ofcontroverfieand tolerable differences,is but a tearing and dividing the Church. z. We take it not for our duty to excom- municateyou, becaufe you are for Diocefan Prelacy : therefore you fhould not take it for yours to excommunicate others be- caufe they are againft it. For 3 . If your fpecies of Epifcopacy be fuch as I have proved it, you have more need to repent and amend, andask.forgivenefsof God andmen, then toexcommu- nicate them that are not of your opinion , and for your fin. 4.But if you take this to be your duty, who bath hindered you from it thefe twelve years ? You had liberty, for ought I know, tohave difcharged your confciences, and tohave excommunica- ted us a!1.5. But you might fo eafily fee what was like tocome of it, that it is no wonder that you forbore. If fuch a Miniftry and fuch a people as are nowyour adherents ( whole defcripti- on I forbear) fhould execute your fentence, and call us and ouradherents out of their communion, what contempt would it bring upou you in England ? The Ale-houfes would be Phut up for the moll parr, againft us : But that and the refl, would be eafily born : I thinkthis is not your way. §. 26.Objeâ. 7. But what needfootform usanewfort ofEpif- copecy? werewe not reell enough before ? Why did you poll down that which Waswell planted,andnow pretend tocommendabetter to Hs? We were well ifyouhad let usalone. 4.27. Anfw..r . But We werenot well, becaufe you would not letus alone. The Miniflers that were filenced, and impriloned, and banifhed, and the thoufands ofpeople that were fain to fol- low them, and all thole that were undone by your profecutions in England, werenot well. But this isa (mall matter : The ig- T t 3 . norant
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