An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches

§. 8. And 1. it is supposed that it is no one essential part o• Objective Christianity that is in Controversy. 2. And that it is not among Christians that any such point is controverted. For he that denieth any essential part, denieth Christianity and the Church; and therefore is no Christian (whatever he may be called by himself or others.) And though Confounders make a great Controversy of it, whether a Heretic be a Christian and a part of the Church, it's easily resolved; if we dally not with an ambiguous word: If by a Heretic be meant one that professeth not, or denied any essential part of Christianity or the Church, he is no Christian nor part of that Church which he denied: But if by a Heretic be meant one that professeth not, or denieth only something that is of the melius esse of Christianity and the Church, he is a Member though a faulty one.

§. 8. And 1. it is supposed that it is no one essential part o• Objective Christianity that is in Controversie. 2. And that it is not among Christians that any such point is controverted. For he that denyeth any essential part, denyeth Christianity and the Church; and therefore is no Christian (whatever he may be called by himself or others.) And though Confounders make a great Controversie of it, whether a Heretick be a Christian and a part of the Church, it's easily resolved; if we dally not with an ambiguous word: If by a Heretick be meant one that professeth not, or deny•d any essential part of Christianity or the Church, he is no Christian nor part of that Church which he denyed: But if by a Heretick be meant one that professeth not, or denyeth only something that is of the melius esse of Christianity and the Church, he is a Member though a faulty one.

§. 9. But it will be said, that more than the Essentials of Christianity is necessary to Church-Communion: ⟨p. 6⟩else we must receive Drunkards, Fornicators, Extortioners, Railers, with whom, saith St. Paul, we must net eat.