The HIS T 0 R Y oj the PuRITANS. VoL. II. K. Charles I. the primitive church with error, and to call the culloms and practices of ~ it unlawful, unlefs the charge can be fupported from fcripture, is an un– pardonable prefumption. Thofe who object to the ancient rites and ufa– ges of the church muit prove them unlawful, otherwife the practice of the church is fufficient to warrant them. His majefi:y denies it is impoffible to difcpver the univerfal confent, and underllanding the practice of the primitive church ; and concludes with this maxim, that though he never eiteemed any authority:equal to the fcriptures, yet he believes the unani– mous confent of the fJthers, and the univerfal praCtice of the primitive' church, the befi and mofi authentic interpreters, and by confequence the beit qu alified judges between himfelf and Mr. Henderfon. Remark's. One may learn from this controverfy, fome of the principles in which king Charles I. · was inftructed; as, ( 1.) The divine right of diocefan epifcopacy. (2.) The uninterrupted fucceffion of bifhops, rightly ordained, from the time of the apofiles; upon which the whole validity of _the adminifiration of the chrillian facraments depends.. · (3.) The neceffity of a judge of controverfies, which his majefly lod– ges with the fathers of the chriitian church, and by that means leave little or no room for private judgment. (4·) The independency of the church upon the ftate.. (5.) That no· reformation of religion is lawful but what arifes from tho prince or legillature ; and this only in cafes·of neceffity,. when a general council cannot be obtaine<:V. (6.) That the multitude or common people may not in any cafe take upon th~m to reform-the aegligence of princes. Neither (7·) May they take up arms againfl: their prince,. even for felf-defence, in cafes of extream neceffity•. How far thefe principles are defenfible in themfelves, or confiftent with the.englijh conftitution, I leave with the reader; but 'tis very furprizing that his rnajefry·fhou.ld be fo much intangled with that part of his coronation oath which relates to th< church, when for fifteen: years together he broke through all the bounds of it with relation to the civil liberties of his jitijetls, without the leaft remorf<~. Upon the clofe of this debate, and the death of Mr. Henderfon, which followed within fix weeks ;. the king's friends gave out, that his majefly had broke his adverfary's heart. Bifhop Kennet and.Mr. Eachard have publifhed· the following recantation, which they would have the world: believe this divine dictated, or figned upon his death-bed.
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