LONDON, _March 4, 1644_.
CCCIX.--_For the Right Honourable, my_ LADY BOYD.
(_PROCEEDINGS OF THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I received your letter on
May 19th.
We are here debating, with much contention of disputes, for the just
measures of the Lord's temple. It pleaseth God, that sometimes enemies
hinder the building of the Lord's house; but now friends, even
gracious men (so I conceive of them), do not a little hinder the work.
Thomas Goodwin,[445] Jeremiah Burroughs,[446] and some others, four or
five, who are for the Independent way, stand in our way, and are
mighty opposites to presbyterial government. We have carried through
some propositions for the Scripture right of presbytery, especially in
the church of Jerusalem (Acts ii. iv. v. vi. and xv.), and the church
of Ephesus, and are going on upon other grounds of truth; and by the
way have proven, that ordination of pastors belongeth not to a single
congregation, but to a college of presbyters, whose it is to lay hands
upon Timothy and others (1 Tim. iv. 14, v. 17; Acts xiii. 1, 2, 3, vi.
5, 6). We are to prove that one single congregation hath not power to
excommunicate, which is opposed not only by Independent men, but by
many others. The truth is, we have at times grieved spirits with the
work; and for my part, I often despair of the reformation of this
land, which saw never anything but the high places of their fathers,
and the remnants of Babylon's pollutions; and except that, "not by
might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord," I should think
God hath not yet thought it time for England's deliverance. For the
truth is, the best of them almost have said, "A half reformation is
very fair at the first;" which is no other thing than, "It is not time
yet to build the house of the Lord." And for that cause, many houses,
great and fair in the land, are laid desolate.
[445] Thomas Goodwin, a distinguished Puritan divine, and latterly
pastor of a church in London, styled by Anthony Wood "one of the
Atlasses and patriarchs of Independency." He was in high favour with
Cromwell. He was born at Rolesby, in Norfolk, in 1600, and died in
1679. His works extended to five volumes folio, and are invaluable. In
his exposition of the first and part of the second chapter of the
Epistle to the Ephesians, there is an admirable defence of Calvinism.
[446] Jeremiah Burroughs, another eminent Puritan divine, was also a
minister in London. He was born in 1599, and died in 1646. He is the
author of numerous theological works, which, if not important, are
useful. It is said that the divisions of the times broke his heart.
Multitudes of Anabaptists, Antinomians, Familists,[447]
Separatists,[448] are here. The best of the people are of the
Independent way. As for myself, I know no more if there be a sound
Christian (setting aside some, yea, not a few learned, some zealous
and faithful ministers whom I have met with) at London (though I doubt
not but there are many), than if I were in Spain; which maketh me
bless God that the communion of saints, how desirable soever, yet is
not the thing, even that great thing, Christ and the remission of
sins. If Jesus were unco,[449] as His members are here, I should be in
a sad and heavy condition.
[447] The sect of the _Familists_ or _Family of Love_, have been
associated with one David George of Delft, who, in 1544, fled out of
Holland to Basle, giving it out that he was banished from the Low
Countries, and changed his name, calling himself John of Brugg. He
affirmed that he was the true David whom God had promised to send to
restore again the kingdom of Israel, and wrote various books in
support of his pretensions. He died on the 16th of September 1556.
After him rose up one Henry Nicholas, born in Amsterdam, who
maintained the same doctrine, but applied it to himself and not to
David George. (See Works of Greenham, p. 219, H. N.) One Christopher
Vivet, a joiner dwelling in Southwark, who had been in Queen Mary's
days an Arian, translated out of Dutch into English several of the
books of Henry Nicholas, among which was his "Evangelium Regni." The
claims of Nicholas were those of a fanatic, and his system was a lie.
(Pagitt's "Heresiography," pp. 81-91.)
[448] The "Separatists" were a kind of Anabaptists, so called because
they pretended to be separate from the rest of the world. They
condemned fine clothes. To them that laughed they would cry, "Woe be
to you that laugh, for hereafter ye shall mourn." They did look sadly,
and fetched deep sighs; they avoided marriage meetings, feasts, music;
and condemned the bearing of arms and Covenants. (Pagitt's
"Heresiography," p. 30.)
[449] Strange.
The House of Peers are rotten men, and hate our Commissioners and our
cause both. The life that is is in the House of Commons, and many of
them also have their religion to choose. The sorrows of a travailing
woman are come on the land. Our army is lying about York, and have
blocked up them of Newcastle,[450] and six thousand Papists and
Malignants, with Mr. Thomas Sydserf, and some Scottish prelates; and
if God deliver them into their hands (considering how strong the
Parliament's armies are, how many victories God hath given them since
they entered into covenant with Him, and how weak the King is), it may
be thought the land is near a deliverance. But I rather desire it than
believe it.
[450] In the end of the year 1643, the Scottish army raised by the
Convention of Estates for the assistance of the English Parliament
marched into England, and, having joined the Parliamentary forces,
blockaded Newcastle, as Rutherford here describes.
We offered this day to the Assembly a part of a directory for worship,
to shoulder out the service-book. It is taken into consideration by
the Assembly.
Your son Lindsay[451] is well: I receive letters from him almost every
week.
Yours at all obedience in God,