And I would to God that all malice and contention) all of all parts would grow more charitably affected both in their words and in their writings, one towards another: for so would this controversy sooner come to an end, and the more speedily be decided. Others there be (who for that in so long time they cannot see their desired discipline and Church government to be established, run from our Church, and make a schism and separation from us, erecting Discipline by their own authority, condemning our Church to be no Church, that they may make their detestable Schism the more allowable: these are the Brownists and Barrowists, who will not stay the chief Magistrates pleasure for the establishing thereof, nor yet allow unto us any Church in England, but themselves, But they (for against them I deal) you must understand that a Church may be, yea a true Church may be and is, though it have neither Elders, nor Deacons, nor Disciplines in it. For we read in Act. 2. ver. 41.42.43.47. of an assembly of people of Jerusalem, that received the word of God and believed, and which are expressly called a Church, (and who can or dare deny them to be the true Church of God, sith the Holy Ghost doth so testify of them? & yet at that time no Deacons ⟨image 65⟩were chosen, nor consistories of Elders erected. For they were not erected till afterward. And therefore a true Church of God may be: though as yet it have not these, for this desired Discipline is not an essential part of the Church, for it doth but resemble the wall of a City, or an hedge or ditch about a vineyard, and it is a City though the wall be wanting, and it is a vineyard though the hedge or ditch be wanting: though so much the less fortified I grant. Inasmuch therefore as we have the preaching of God's holy word, and the right administration of the Sacraments (which be the essential marks of the true Church.) None ought to forsake our Church for any other defect, corruption, or imperfection. For there may be corruptions both in Doctrine and Discipline some, and yet the Church where they be, the true Church of God. Admit (if they will) that Ministers in the Church of England be not rightly created and brought into the Church, will they therefore count they be no Ministers?
And I would to God that all malice and contention) all of all parts would grow more charitablye affected both in their words and in their writings, one towardes another: for so would this controuersie sooner come to an end, and the more speedily bée decided. Others there bée (who for that in so long time they cannot sée their desired discipline and Church gouerment to bée established, runne from our Church, and make a schisme and seperation from vs, erecting Disciplne by their owne authoritie, condemning our Church to bée no Church, that they may make their detestable Scisme the more allowable: these are the Brownists and Barrowists, who will not staye the chiefe Magistrates pleasure for the establishing thereof, nor yet allow vnto vs any Church in England, but themselues, But they (for against them I deale) you must vnderstand that a Church may bée, yea a true Church may bée and is, though it haue neither Elders, nor Deacons, nor Disciplines in it. For wée reade in Act. 2. ver. 41.42.43.47. of an ass•mblie of people of Ierusalem, that receaued the word of God and beléeued, and which are expresly called a Church, (and who can or dare deny them to be the true Church of God, sith the Holy Ghost doth so testefie of them? & yet at that time no Deacons ⟨image 65⟩were chosen, nor consistories of Elders erected. For they were not erected till afterward. And therefore a true Church of God may bee: though as yet it haue not these, for this desired Discipline is not an essentiall part of the Church, for it doth but resemble the wall of a Citie, or an hedg or ditch about a vineyeard, and it is a Citie though the wall be wanting, and it is a vineyeard though the hedg or ditch be wanting: though so much the lesse fortified I grant. In asmuch therefore as wee haue the preaching of Gode holy word, and the right administration of the Sacraments (which bee the essentiall markes of the true Church.) None ought to forsake our Church for any other defect, corruption, or imperfection. For there may bée corruptions both in Doctrine and Discipline some, and yet the Church where they be, the true Church of God. Admit (if they will) that Ministers in the Church of England bee not rightly created and brought into the Church, will they therefore count they be no Ministers?
