An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II.…

Accus. 29. Another to save the Nation from the labours of a Concordant Ministry, and from the blessings of Unity, Peace and Innocence, hath written a book lately, called The Modern Pleas for Comprehension, Toleration, &c. considered; who at his entrance saith, I would fain have any of our dissenting brethren to answer directly, Whether there be any one thing sinful in her Communion (the Churches as by Law established), or only some things (as they conceive) inexpedient. And p. 11. he saith, Suppose that the terms of the Communion of the Church, are not only inexpedient, but really sinful; if so, then I shall readily grant that the Church ought not to be communicated with, while the terms of her Communion are such. But—I shall presume to say with some confidence, that it is not easy to find a considerable man among them, who will not be ashamed to own it publicly, or who doth himself really believe it. And p. 12. I have been credibly informed (not to say that I am able to make it good) that Mr. Calamy did before his Majesty, and divers Lords of the Council profess, that there was not any thing in the constitution of the Church, to which he could not conform, were it not for the scandalizing of others; so that in his esteem the Constitutions of the Church were in themselves innocent, and the whole objection against them lay in the mistakes of other men. Yet saith he p. 11. That the separation from the Church is so avowed and pressed upon the people, as if that it were highly necessary, and that communion with the Church was highly criminal, at least in the opinion of the teachers.

Accus. 29. Another to save the Nation from the labours of a Concordant Ministry, and from the blessings of Unity, Peace and Innocence, hath written a book lately, called The Modern Pleas for Comprehension, Toleration, &c. considered; who at his enterance saith, I would fain have any of our dissenting brethren to answer directly, Whether there be any one thing sinful in her Communion (the Churches as by Law established), or only some things (as they conceive) inexpedient. And p. 11. he saith, Suppose that the terms of the Communion of the Church, are not only inexpedient, but really sinful; if so, then I shall readily grant that the Church ought not to be communicated with, while the terms of her Communion are such. But—I shall presume to say with some confidence, that it is not easie to find a considerable man among them, who will not be ashamed to own it publickly, or who doth himself really believe it. And p. 12. I have been credibly informed (not to say that I am able to make it good) that Mr. Calamy did before his Majesty, and divers Lords of the Council profess, that there was not any thing in the constitution of the Church, to which he could not conform, were it not for the scandalizing of others; so that in his esteem the Constitutions of the Church were in themselves innocent, and the whole objection against them lay in the mistakes of other men. Yet saith he p. 11. That the separation from the Church is so avowed and pressed upon the people, as if that it were highly necessary, and that communion with the Church was highly criminal, at least in the opinion of the teachers.