The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…

M. I mean nothing but what as to the Matter, the Episcopal Party write for as the Ordinance of Christ: The true exercise of the Keys, and the previous Acts. That is, That God hath made the Church to be as it were the Porch of Heaven, a Society gathered out of the Infidel World, sanctified to God, and prepared for Glory; and therefore he would have none in his Church, but such as profess Faith, Love and Holiness, and renounce a fleshly, sensual, worldly and profane Life: And the Pastors bear the Keys of Trust and Government to judge of such; that is, who are to be taken in, and who to be cast out, and who to be admonished and cured of scandalous Sins: And all the Members are bound to preserve the Purity of themselves, and the Society in their places; And therefore if a Brother live scandalously, contrary to his Profession, his Neighbour that hath notice of it, is to tell him of his fault, and if he hear not, and repent not, to warn and admonish him before witnesses: and if yet he repent not, to tell the Church; and if yet he repent not, and hear not the Church, he is to be avoided, as one that is none of their Communion. But if warning, persuasion, Prayers and Patience, bring him to Repentance, the Church is gladly to pronounce his forgiveness by God, and to receive him. This is the Discipline which Christ hath instituted, and the Christian Churches have Professed.

M. I mean nothing but what as to the Matter, the Episcopal Party write for as the Ordinance of Christ: The true exercise of the Keys, and the previous Acts. That is, That God hath made the Church to be as it were the Porch of Heaven, a Society gathered out of the Infidel World, sanctified to God, and prepared for Glory; and therefore he would have none in his Church, but such as profess Faith, Love and Holiness, and renounce a fleshly, sensual, worldly and profane Life: And the Pastors bear the Keys of Trust and Government to judge of such; that is, who are to be taken in, and who to be cast out, and who to be admonished and cured of scandalous Sins: And all the Members are bound to preserve the Purity of themselves, and the Society in their places; And therefore if a Brother live scandalously, contrary to his Profession, his Neighbour that hath notice of it, is to tell him of his fault, and if he hear not, and repent not, to warn and admonish him before witnesses: and if yet he repent not, to tell the Church; and if yet he repent not, and hear not the Church, he is to be avoided, as one that is none of their Communion. But if warning, perswasion, Prayers and Patience, bring him to Repentance, the Church is gladly to pronounce his forgiveness by God, and to receive him. This is the Discipline which Christ hath instituted, and the Christian Churches have Professed.