The dference between Independency and Prresby-tery. 477 in any P4Iorall Relation to come and preach , and adminif cr Sacraments but in this Congregation, yet they think that by joyning with others his Ruling power fhalI have an extent to a- hundred or a thoufand Congregations, that his face never faw, when as the Pafloralt cha rge of his for Word and Sacra -. ments, Both extend in an ordinary way- but to one : Now for nay part who ever thinks there is a greater Controveríe in thefe twO, but this I ant fpeaking of, he fees further then I cap doe in it. -- Here the Controverfie mainely lies, whether the Ruling power of any Minif 'ter extend farther then his Pa- . fiorall power for Word and Sacraments, whether he bath the charge of others, tokrule them together with others, and not the charge of them in an equal( way to feed them in Word and Sacraments ; Now I doe not come to plead this way, or that way, fo, either fide, but onely fo farre as maybe for peace. df the Controverfìe lieshere, I appeale to your Confcien -- ces, are you fo certaine; fo pure of one fide, that you can joyne in a violent oppofition of the other : Is one fo cleare and evi- dent to you, as you can take upon you, as you would anfwer ié before Ch ift, t'o ufe all the power of Civill Magiftracy, for to force one,or -the other fide;Por fo I fpeak of either; for I would account it a--very great evill. for .thole that profefre Indepen dency , to force inch as. profeire Presbytery to be of their minds or pra&ife ; And fo I think it will not be acceptable to- jefus Chrift for the one by a civili way -to force the : ocher, and it will never prove tote the way of peace. -- But now if you,will fay, we will force them to doe fo ; It's true, you may by an Iron chaste tie men clòfe together, that they Ihall not be able to go at fuch a dillance; But will that make peace here in the Church of Chria in refpedi of -mens hearts. There is one thing more that I have obferved bath been a= Caufe of the breaking of peace exceedingly ; And that is, the miflake of the point of fchifine ; for that becaufe we have that word in the Covenant, Men think in Confcience that what is- indeed truly fchifine, they are bound to oppofe with all their anig}ït a:
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=