R. JOHNSON. 179 by sound reason and the authority of scripture, before they are compelled by law to obey. This preparation of the people to obey, is necessary, lest they be compelled to obey they know not what. Therefore, that the people may the more willingly, and without murmuring, agree to a reforma- tion, and praise the Lord for the same, it is necessary they should first know the defects in the church, which need reformation. But if no reformation be intended, it is proper the people should understand howmuch the church stands in need of it, that they may prayunto God to stir up those who are in authority to promote it; and, no doubt, the Lord will the sooner hear their prayers. So that, whether a reformation be intended or not intended, the church of God should be told of its corruptions, that the people may the more willingly praise God when they are taken away, and the more earnestly pray unto him until they be taken away. This is one reason why ministers should not bind themselves to conceal the faults and cor- ruptions remaining in the church. " Another reason is, that seeing there are many preachers who maintain that the government of the church is perfectly good, and that the Prayer Book needs no amendment; and as these preachers have license to preach where theyplease, they may preach these things to that flock over which God path made me overseer ; if I should consent and subscribe, that, in such a case, I will not speak, I cannot see how I could acquit myself before God. Therefore, the fear of this evil, in these days of peril and confusion, is another reason for not giving either the promise of my word, or the subscription of my hand, to hold my peace against the government of the church, and every thing contained in the Book of Common Prayer. " Also, in the Book ofCommon Prayer, there is a manifest abuse of scripture : as in the ordination of ministers, it is said, Receive the Holy Ghost. Corrupt prayers : as in confirmation, " Almighty God, who hast vouchsafed to regenerate these thy servants, by water and the HolyGhost, and hast given them the forgiveness of all their sins." These and many such faults in the book, are such, that a preacher ought not to promise and subscribe that he will never speak any thing against them. There are, likewise, many things in the government of the church : as the court of faculties, the high commission court, dispensations for nonresidence, and many others, against which I cannot oblige myself that I will never speak." This'answer, withmuch more to the same
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