The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being…

Obj. But you may teach a Parrot to speak those words.

Answ. Its true: And perhaps to speak any words which you use your selves: But if you will thence conclude that words must not be taken as a Profession, you grossly err, or abusively wrangle; or if you infer thence that your neighbour understandeth himself no more than a Parrot doth, you must prove what you say to the Pastor of the Church: For God hath not allowed him to excommunicate baptized persons, because you say that they are ignorant. And if they are willing to learn it is fitter to teach them than to excommunicate them.

Answ. Its true: And perhaps to speak any words which you use your selves: But if you will thence conclude that words must not be taken as a Profession, you grosly err, or abusively wrangle; or if you infer thence that your neighbour understandeth himself no more than a Parrot doth, you must prove what you say to the Pastor of the Church: For God hath not allowed him to excommunicate baptized persons, because you say that they are ignorant. And if they are willing to learn it is fitter to teach them than to excommunicate them.

And here I must lament it, that I have met with many censorious Professors, who would not communicate with the Parish Churches, because the people are ignorant, who, when I have examined themselves, have proved ignorant of the very substance of Christianity, so that I have been much in doubt whether I ought to admit them to the Lords Table or not. They knew not whether Christ was Eternal, or whether he was God when he was on earth, or whether he be Man now he is in heaven; nor what Faith is, or what Justification or Sanctification is, nor what the Covenant of grace is; nor what Baptism or the Lords Super are; nor could prove the Scripture to be the word of God, or prove mans soul to be immortal; but gave false or impertinent answers about all these: And yet could not join with the ignorant Churches.