Title: | Letter, John Dury To Oliver St. John |
---|---|
Dating: | 31 March 1646 |
Ref: | 3/3/7A-7B |
Notes: | Copy at 3/3/8 and enclosure to 3/3/6. |
[3/3/7A]
Sir if before I went from London I could haue seene yow once at yowr Lodging in Lincolns inne, at three seuerall attempts to wait upon yow; I should not haue troubled yow with these lines at this tyme: but I am resolued not to bee defeated of my purpose, which is none other then to giue yow a testimony of mine ingenuitie & of the confidence which I haue in yowr iudgment & zealous affection for the promoting of such meanes & wayes as may conduce for the composing of differences betweene the dissenting members of the Assembly & their Brethren.
The Waye wherinto the parties are fallen is a Paper debate tending not to heale but rather to widen the Breach & laye open one anothers infirmities; wherat I confesse I was much grieued, but could not set a worke instruments, to take them off from it, although I thought it very possible to bee done. & this was the chief cause why I desired to meet with yow. that namely in this matter I might haue spoken to yow some of my thoughts, which now I shall briefly write if happily they may hint some other thing unto yow more fitte for this ende wherby yow may improoue yowr interest in both parties for their good.
I conceiue then that the indulgence which the dissenting brethren sue for; is in their sense such; as they think the Presbyterians may grant with a good conscience: & I know the Chiefest of them may I dare say all of them in the Assembly are so conscionable that if it may bee made apparent unto them, that it is <indeed> such, that they will not refuse to giue their assent unto it. Therefore I would aduise that some course should bee taken by them, to make it apparent to bee such. now this Course in my opinion might bee this; namely that they should open themselues in three thinges plainly.
1. First they should shew positiuely & fully the waye wherin they intend to walke in the gathering, constituting & gouverning of their Churches; & in the administring of all the ordinances of Christ in their congregations. for except this waye bee knowen how can any giue conscionablely aduice that it may bee indulged unto them.
2. Then supposing their waye to bee not only tolerable but without all exception, I would in the second place aduise, that they should declare themselues obligatorily to some tye of [catchword: union]
[3/3/7B]
union which should bee betweene them & their Brethren: that it might bee seene in what relation they would stand towards them for mutuall edification. for except this bee really intended as in the sight of God, & the waye therof knowen to bee his waye; how can the dueties of Holy communion which belong to brethren in Christ bee performed; & the guilt of a breach of Couenant bee auoided by those that haue promised to bring their Churches to the neerest coniunction that may be procured?
3. Thirdly supposing this tye to bee setled & professedly agreed unto by both sides; yet then both sides; but chiefly the dissenting partie should furthermore declare their aduice concerning the waye & meanes of taking awaye the offences & scandales which may breake that tye & disturbe the settlement of their Peace. for except this bee also predetermined how can it bee conceiued that men who are Prudently conscionable, will think themselues free from the danger of schismes & Diuisions, when they cannot but foresee that by reason of different practices & tenets, manifold offences will certainly both bee giuen & taken; which will bee remedilesse, & breake all the bonds of Loue & Peace; if no ioint course bee made use of to take them awaye? Can two walke together [left margin: Amos. 3. 3.] saith the Prophet except they bee agreed? & how shall they bee said to agree that doe not positiuely declare their waye & what they shall bee bound to intend one towards another.
If these thinges could bee so insinuated unto them as to incline them to manifest the truth of their meaning therin; I am persuaded they would preuent many mischiefs, & right themselues very much in many or most mens mindes, who are at a losse in their wayes: & gaine from their Brethren the effect of that Loue which is due unto them, & is now like to bee lost betweene them to the great distraction of this Church.
Yow haue here briefly that which I think is to bee suggested; which I could backe with multitudes of Arguments & reasons why this should bee pressed upon them if need were: but I should trespasse upon yowr precious tyme by beeing too long; & I know it is needlesse to multiplye words to a man of understanding: therefore I will take my leaue, & commending yow to the grace of God & yowr thoughts in this matter to the direction of his spirit I shall with heart & hand subscribe my self
Sir
Yowr Truly affectionat & Humble
seruant in Christ
Winton. Iohn Dury.
31 Martij. 1646.
Let my seruice bee
remembred to [Mrs St Ihons I praye.?]