THESE proposals were assented to by the delegates of the association, met according to former agree|met at B. Sept. 13th, 1705, to be communicated.
Answer. The church of England has been wont to look upon us as men out of our wits, therefore they term us phantics, or mad-men, but much more now. What! for men to break from the government they themselves have established by consent and practice, and arbitrarily to rally together, and draw up a direful sentence (if not in terms, yet in intent) for the dissolution of a country full of the best churches of Christ in the world, and then (as it were) upon the bold sound of a trumpet, to excite others to ratify the dead warrant, in order to execution! What can this import or signify in the thoughts of considerate men, but a vertiginous brain? We might have learned better, and more caution, from that mother church of the nation, if not from common reason; for though our sove|reign confides in the loyalty of the English clergy, yet to maintain the grandeur of government, and keep in good repair that common sence which keeps every man in his station, therefore, according to the law and custom of En|gland, the convocation, both the higher and lower house of that learned and august assembly, neither debates nor transacts any matter whatsoever, but what our sovereign by commission expresly alloweth of, according to his pre|rogative; so that certainly to acquit yourselves for wise men you should have done no less (in a matter of such weight and moment) than have petitioned the public authority for commission, before you had ventured thus far.
Object. But possibly some may say, We have petitioned authority to establish our councils, since we have drawn them up in form.
Answ. This is to be preposterous, and agrees with that illegal way of hanging men and then judging them; but however it seems they turned a deaf ear to your demands; and well they might, for they are two wise men to alter the laws of the province, long customs and orderly settle|ments of the churches to gratify an implicit faith in the stark naked Ipse Dixits of any men; that unless you can produce a mandamus from the crown, or a precept from a higher court, which by its divine authority shall awe and direct them, you may alway expect such entertainment in your precarious addresses; for most certainly you beg at the wrong door. For you beg without a brief.
To be commended to the several associated ministers in the several parts of the country, to be duely considered.
Answ. And why not commended to the general court, as has been the custom of our beginnings, &c. or why not commended nextly to the several churches? By the question proposed, the comfort, support, and well being of these churches was peculiarly pretended, then why might not they be nextly advised with, for their approbation or esteem? for if you intend it for a new suit, or change of apparel, or a set of armour for this army in banners, it must be the only way to try it on, it being now so near finishing; and if it be done work-man-like, you will have the credit and they the comfort of it; but if it prove too strait-laced, or should they feel themselves as David in Saul's coat of mail, and should shrug at it, and say, we cannot go in these, we have not proved them; yet they may throw all by and keep to their own old suit, which is not yet half worn, and the worst come to the worst, you may by any lawful writ recover your wages of those who set you on work to blow at this forge.
That so what may be judged for the service of our GREAT LORD, and his holy churches.
Answ. You acknowledge, and so do I, that these are holy churches, and (through the grace of their great Lord) they being so; then why should they be interrupted in their government and discipline, which has been a peculiar means for the advance and promoting holiness among them? They are strict in their government; curious, yet charit|able in their admissions; in the election of all officers, they are nice, cautious, judicious, and in the main hitherto very successful. They are eagle-eyed in their watch; duly hot, and impartial in their process and ex|emplary acts of justice; and so dependent and free from arrogance, that they acknowledge themselves accountable under the eye of the consociation, for their astministration; and freely and without covin, render an account of their actions, and are willing to receive advice, and &c. Then why should you disturb them?
You acknowledge them to be holy churches, and you may well! Then certainly they are the bethels, where God dwells; and from his grace and presence, so illustri|ous in them, why mayn't we conclude, God has said, this is my rest for ever, here will I dwell, for I have desired it? And will then any good man have an hand in pulling down these tabernacles of the almighty? No! rather let every man involved, say, as once Job did, I will lay my hand upon my mouth; once have I spoken, but I will not an|swer; yea, twice, but I will proceed no further, lest I am found fighting against God; for it is most certain, all men will find themselves over-match't in such a war.
Be proceeded in.
Answ. I think we are proceeding in the best method we can for the present, for the service of these churches▪ that is to say, the criminal proposals being now at the bar, and having been indicted upon several statutes; and evi|dence for proving matter of fact, being legal and sufficient, the case is now to be delivered to the great jury of trials, viz. The impartial reason of the churches, and there hav|ing been no such deed done, or seen, from the day that this good people came up out of the land, from the other side of the great sea, unto this day, consider of it, take ad|vice and speak your minds, Judg. 19.30.
And upon due deliberation, if under the conduct of law and reason, you shall bring in guilty; then I petition for the crown, that justice be done in this following man|ner, not by banishment, praemunire or perpetual imprison|ment I but that the proposals be sentenc'd to die the death of hereticks, and their ashes be exposed to the four winds; that the whole scheme may, beyond all hope of retrieve, be lost in oblivion. And let the churches, according to their platform, recover and maintain their authority, liber|ties and lustre, so long as the sun and moon shall con|tinue.
The date,—November the 5th 1705.
Answ. Blessed! Thrice blessed day! Uphold and maintain thy matchless fame in the kalender of time, and let no darkness or shadow of death stain thee; let thy ho|rizon comprehend whole constellations of fovorable and auspicious stars, reflecting a benign influence on the English monarchy. And upon every return, in thy anni|versary circuits, keep an indulgent eye open and wakeful upon all the beauties (from the throne to the footstool• of that mighty empire!
And when it is thy misfortune to conceive a monster, which may threaten any part of the nations glory, let it come crippled from the womb, or else travel in birth again, with some noble hero, or invincible Hercules, who may conquer and confound it.
The last binding vote.
At an association meeting, the fore-going proposals were read, and assented to.
Answ. Whether for a small juncto of gentlemen, with|out being orderly called (as a committe of wise and learned men to survey an old government, and make their report) by any supream authority; for them of their own heads, to meet and to draw up articles against, and in imitation of the highest and most regular state on earth; to vote up a scheme of their own inventing, and thereby sign the con|demnation of a grave ecclesiastical government, which has been adjusted by the rules of equity and honor, and for the security of all persons and parties interested and involved, and regularly settled and established by all the churches in the province; and owned ratifyed, and hon|ored by the civil authority of the empire; and eminently blessed God, through a long series and succession of years; now whether such a daring action as this, can be placed under any of the topicks of political or moral wisdom, either of the fear of God, allegiance to their prince, or love to their country? Or whether or no they don't (for their defiance to the churches, in this bold and terrible vote) rather merit a page in the chronicles of time, and there in capital letters, be written, not an association of wise, but, a faction of disorderly, &c. and impolitic men?
The introduction to personal signing. PRESENT.
Answ. A council of war (by adjournment met, with|out commission) consulting the most plausible way to blow up the walls of our Zion. But where the place was, or the persons who were present in this rendezvouze, shall ne|ver be told by me, unless it be extorted by the rack. And tho' I have endeavoured with freedom of argument to sub|vert the error, I will never stain their personal glory by repeating or calling over the muster-roll.
Therefore▪ as Noah's sons cast a garment upon their fa••ers nakedness, (so leaving them in the crowd) their names (for me) shall repose under a mantle of honorable pity and forgetfulness.
Yet wishing they may never more harbour such thoughts, or promote such a design as is projected by these propo|sals; but hereafter when temptation makes its signal, let them rather trespass upon gravity, by following the hounds in the forrest, or by a more submissive and moderate way (to baffle the enemy, and wear off the impression) let them write on the ground, or with the famous Domitian, spend the time in catching flies, rather then contrive how to sub|vert or alter the government in the churches, by such dis|potic measures especially in an empire and province so charmed with such inchanting liberties as ours are. For otherwise they may chance to bring, if not an old, a new house upon their heads, according to that saying, Debile fundamentum, fallit Opus.