Q. 3. What harm would it do, if the Churches were healed by such means as all the most grave, experienced Conciliators have pitched upon as the only way, at least in all the Protestant Churches? We are contented with Lerinensis terms, Qu•d ab omnibus, ubique & semper receptunest. All the famous reconcilers of the last age and this, Acontius, Melanchthon, Pelargus, Duraeus, Calixtus, Lud. Crocius, Joh. Bergius, Conradus Bergius, Junius, Paraeus, Hottonus, Amy•aldus, Usher, Morton, Hall, Davenant, Chillingworth, Hales, Bucer, Burroughs, Stillingfleet, and every man that ever wrote a rational Irenicon, conspire in this one necessary means, the forbearing all imposition of doubtful unnecessary things, as necessary to actual unity and communion, and the centering and cementing all on the terms of the few certain, gre•t, and necessary things which we are commonly agreed in; or as Rupertus Meldenius his oft-cited words are, In necessariis, unitas, in non-necessariis libertas; in utrisque charitas. Do you think verily that all these were mistaken? and that you are wiser than they who have studied the art of peace as much as you have done the arts of victory, and getting down those whom you first make, and then call your adversaries? I know you will still say, These are good terms for our union with neighbour churches, but not for our church within it self. To which I have answered you already; and now add, 1. Every company of Christians associated for personal communion in Gods public Worship (as distinct from distant communion in Spirit only, and from communion by Delegates or Representatives) is a true particular church, taking Pastors and people to be the parts thus associated. Every such Church ⟨p. 216⟩had a Bishop in Scripture-times, as Dr. Hammond in his Annot. will tell you over and over; and in Ignatius his time too; For he saith, That to every Church there was one Altar, and one Bishop, with his fellow Presbyters and Deacons. And this one Altar (which showed only one place of meeting for ordinary public Communion), and one Bishop, were the notes of Unity to every one Church, as Mr. Mede also fully openeth it. And Dr. Hammond will further bear witness what every Bishop with his Church is, in 1 Tim. 3.
Q. 3. What harm would it do, if the Churches were healed by such means as all the most grave, experienced Conciliators have pitched upon as the only way, at least in all the Protestant Churches? We are contented with Lerinensis terms, Qu•d ab omnibus, ubique & semper receptunest. All the famous reconcilers of the last age and this, Acontius, Melancthon, Pelargus, Duraeus, Calixtus, Lud. Crocius, Joh. Bergius, Conradus Bergius, Junius, Paraeus, Hottonus, Amy•aldus, Usher, Morton, Hall, Davenant, Chillingworth, Hales, Bucer, Burroughs, Stillingfleet, and every man that ever wrote a rational Irenicon, conspire in this one necessary means, the forbearing all imposition of doubtful unnecessary things, as necessary to actual unity and communion, and the centering and cementing all on the terms of the few certain, gre•t, and necessary things which we are commonly agreed in; or as Rupertus Meldenius his oft-cited words are, In necessariis, unitas, in non-necessariis libertas; in utrisque charitas. Do you think verily that all these were mistaken? and that you are wiser than they who have studied the art of peace as much as you have done the arts of victory, and getting down those whom you first make, and then call your adversaries? I know you will still say, These are good terms for our union with neighbour churches, but not for our church within it self. To which I have answered you already; and now add, 1. Every company of Christians associated for personal communion in Gods publick Worship (as distinct from distant communion in Spirit only, and from communion by Delegates or Representatives) is a true particular church, taking Pastors and people to be the parts thus associated. Every such Church ⟨p. 216⟩had a Bishop in Scripture-times, as Dr. Hammond in his Annot. will tell you over and over; and in Ignatius his time too; For he saith, That to every Church there was one Altar, and one Bishop, with his fellow Presbyters and Deacons. And this one Altar (which shewed only one place of meeting for ordinary publick Communion), and one Bishop, were the notes of Unity to every one Church, as Mr. Mede also fully openeth it. And Dr. Hammond will further bear witness what every Bishop with his Church is, in 1 Tim. 3.
