WILCOCKS. 189 calling, though you preach in other places, I condemn you not. P. What are the reasons -why I may not come into another man's charge ? W. If our church were so reformed, that there was a learned and painful ministry, with a godly sincerity in every congregation, then, with a view to end a controversy, confirm a doctrine, or refutean error, you might preach in another man's charge : yet you might not do this, unless you were requested by the minister and seniority of the church, and permitted by your own. P. You seem to have written your book in choler against some persons, rather than to promote a reformation of the church. W. I suppose you are displeased with the sharpness of the language. We are willing to bear the blame of that. P. I think it did not proceed from a spirit of love, and charity, andmeekness. F. That toucheth me, and therefore I answer; as God hath his Moses, so he hath his Elijah. Isaiah calleth the rulers of his time, princes of Sodom. John calleth the scribes and pharisees, a generation of vipers. Jesus Christ calleth them adders, and an adulterous generation. And the scriptures, especially the prophets, are full of such warm expressions. We have used gentle words too long we perceive they have done no good. The wound is become desperate; it therefore needeth a strong corrosive. It is no time to flatter men in their sins. Yet God knoweth, we meant to speak against no man's person, but their places, and existing corruptions. P. Will you then take away all ecclesiastical policy ? It pleaseth the prince, in policy, to make the ministers lord- bishops and archbishops. I confess this cannot be warranted by God's word ; but as the christian magistrate , in policy, esteemeth it good, and not against God's word, I doubt whether they maynot do it. W. We praise God for having made you confess this truth. But, from your words, we must consider whether the policy concerningecclesiastical matters, as, contained in God's word, be not all-sufficient, and that alone which is to be followed. The ministers of Christ may take unto them- selves no other titles than those which are allowed and appointed in God's word, though the christian prince would, in policy, make them everso liberal anoffer of them. F. No. Though' the prince would give them such
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