t all things be done to
edifying." 1 Cor. xiv. 26. I have accordingly endeavoured to avoid such
jangling, and such debates as are unprofitable and unedifying, making
choice of such purposes as may edify, and not abuse the reader.

Peradventure some will think I might have wholly saved myself this labour.
I confess I do not look upon that which I make reply unto, as if it were
like to weigh much with knowing men, yet the Apostle tells me that some
men's mouths must be stopped, and Jerome tells me(1347) there is nothing
written without skill, which will not find a reader with as little skill
to judge, and some men grow too wise in their own eyes when they pass
unanswered. Besides all this, a vindication and clearing of such things as
I mentioned in the beginning, may, by God's blessing, anticipate future
and further mistakes. Read therefore and consider, and when thou hast
done, I trust thou shalt not think that I have lost my labour. I pray the
Lord that all our controversies may end in a more cordial union for
prosecuting the ends expressed in the covenant and especially the
reformation of religion, according to the word of God and the example of
the best reformed churches, and more particularly the practical part of
reformation, that the ordinances of Jesus Christ may be kept from
pollution, profaneness and scandals shamed away, and piety commended and
magnified.

CHAPTER I.

THAT MR COLEMAN DOTH STILL CONTRADICT HIMSELF IN THE STATING OF THIS
PRESENT CONTROVERSY ABOUT CHURCH GOVERNMENT.

It was before both denied and yielded by Mr Coleman, that there is a
church government which is distinct from the civil, and yet not merely
doctrinal. He did profess to subscribe heartily to the votes of
Parliament, and yet advised the Parliament to do contrary to their votes,
as I proved in _Nihil Respondes_, p. 3. He answereth now, in his _Male
Dicis_, p. 4, "I deny an institution; I assent to prudence; Where is the
self-contradiction now?" and, p. 5, "The advice looks to _jus divinum_;
the Parliament votes to prudence." Sir, you have spoken evil for yourself;
you have made the self-contradiction worse. Will you acknowledge your own
words, in your sermon, p. 25, "Lay no more burden of government upon the
shoulders of ministers than Christ hath plainly laid upon them; have no
more hand therein than the Holy Ghost clearly gives them. The ministers
have other work to do, and such as will tak