Church concord

All this we grant for a removal from a Church without the guilt of Schism or sinful Separation. But on the other side we must needs desire, 1. That Men will not rashly and self-conceitedly judge any of these Cases to be where they are not: And therefore that they will take the advice of the next unanimous, ⟨p. 45⟩peaceable, faithful Pastors. And for this, saith Mr. Norton, p. 167. [But when this or that Congregation is to be taken for No Church, let the judgment be in the hands of a Council, or in an Ordinate state of the Churches.]

2. We desire that whole Churches may not be taken for no Churches without proof, nor before they are heard speak for themselves: And that those that have possession of the public Maintenance and Temples, (I know no fitter Name for them) will not gather a part of the people into a new Church, as if there were none before, till it be proved upon equal hearing: Nor that they would not Dissolve the old Church, instead of Reforming it, nor withdraw from them, instead of casting out the unfit in an orderly way of Discipline; unless where Discipline and Reformation cannot be had: If we propose the exercise of Discipline to a Parish, and the most will rather disown (or refuse to own) their Relations as Members, than live under Discipline, and so Separate themselves from us, (or profess that they never took themselves for Members) then the blame will lye on them, and they are the Separatists: But if they Own their Relations, and offer to live as Christians under Discipline, in holy Communion, surely they must be cast out upon proved accusations, Man by Man, in Christs way, Matth. 18. or not at all. I confess by drawing out a few from the rest, we may scape a great deal of labour, trouble, and ill will of those that should be cast out: But the selfish, easy way is not like to be the way of God.

2. We desire that whole Churches may not be taken for no Churches without proof, nor before they are heard speak for themselves: And that those that have possession of the publick Maintenance and Temples, (I know no fitter Name for them) will not gather a part of the people into a new Church, as if there were none before, till it be proved upon equal hearing: Nor that they would not Dissolve the old Church, instead of Reforming it, nor withdraw from them, instead of casting out the unfit in an orderly way of Discipline; unless where Discipline and Reformation cannot be had: If we propose the exercise of Discipline to a Parish, and the most will rather disown (or refuse to own) their Relations as Members, than live under Discipline, and so Separate themselves from us, (or profess that they never took themselves for Members) then the blame will lye on them, and they are the Separatists: But if they Own their Relations, and offer to live as Christians under Discipline, in holy Communion, surely they must be cast out upon proved accusations, Man by Man, in Christs way,