(124)` gationshave hadmore Learned and holy Paflors, than where the People have had their choice ? I delire London but to confider it ( nay they know it by great experience) what men hath Aldermanburyhad, Mr. Calamy, Dr. Stough- ton, Dr. Taylor, and fo before ? What men hath Blackfryers had, Mr. Gibbons, Dr. Gouge, and many formerly ? So alto Antholins, Lincolns-Inn, Greys-Inn, the Temple, &c. But the truth is, that is an excellent perfon tous, who is an odious or conterñptible perfon to the high Prelatifts. If he will preach as Heylin writeth, and make the people believe that Presbyterians are Rebels, and Difciplinarians are feditious brainfick fellows, and ftrid living is hypo crifie, and praying without book and much preaching is Fanaticifm, and that none are worthy to preach the Gofpel who will not (wear to betrue tothis Prelatical interest that drunkennefs in a. Conformable man is a tolerable in- firmity, and their ignoranteft nonfence is fitter to Pave fouls or Edifie the Church, than the laboursof aLearned Holy Nonconformist ; that Calvin -was aRogue, and Cartwright, Amefus and all fuch as they, difcontented factious Schifmaticks, unworthy to preachor to be endured ; This is a fon of the Church, and an excellent perfon withthe men in question. But it isahe man that Learnedly and Judiciously openeth the word of life, that clofely and skilfully and- ferioufly applyeth it, that is an example of hlolinefs, Sobriety, Love, Meeknefs, Humility, and Patience to the flock, who fpareth no labour or coil or fuffering for thePaving of mensfouls, who is for the wifdom which is first pure and then peaceable, Ste. This is the Paftor that is excellent in our eyes. And of fuch I have off wondred that the common. people should ufually choofe far better than the Prelates do. But the truth is, Wifdom and Goodnefs have their witnefl'es even in the confciences ofnatural men, which Fafiion, Pride, andFlelhly.intereff doth bribe or hence, and cannot endure. 3. But what's all.this taus? We plead not now for the neceflity of the peoplesEleFions, but only for their confent : Ifthe Patrons as now, or the Clergy asformerly be the Nominators, or Eleétors, yet should the peoplescon- fent beacknowledged neceffary in the fecond place. 4. For who is fitter to choofe, or refufe, or confine at least, than he whore everlafting interefl lieth at the flake ? It is their own foul that mutt be faved or damned ? And-in. good fadnefs do- thefe Diocefans love the fouls of all the people better thin they love their own ?- Do you make them .believe this, by not feting oneof a thoufand or many hundred of your flock once in all the time ofyour lives ? Doth the filenciñg of fo many . Minifters [hew it ? Christ will have all menat age in Covenanting, Baptifin,andthe LordsSupper; to be Chufers or Refufers for themfelves,becaufe (as Clem. Alexandr.Strom.r. faith)) they have free will, and it is themfelves thatmull have the gain or lofs, that muff be in heaven or hell for ever. What if a Prelate, aParliament, a Patron, or a forefather, chufe Mafsprieits or. Hereacks for us, muff we accept the choice ? Is this our bewaring of falfi prophets, and of the leaven ofthe Pharfie ar:d,oser trying all things, and letting no mandeceive us, &'e. ett, how. unfit_ is this.objeétion for a.. Prelates mouth or pen ? Ave you.
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