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

M. 2. The very Nature of Christ's Church required it, which is a Society separated from the World under special Laws of Holiness and Love, and for special heavenly Ends: If therefore it ⟨p. 179⟩shall be confounded with the World, and not separated to Christ, it is no Church. 3. Christ did it for the Honour of himself, and his Kingdom: If he be no more for Holiness than the Infidel and Heathen World is, what is he better than they, or how is he a Saviour, or what is the Church better than Infidels? 4. It is needful to save Heathens from deceit that would come into the Church, and to convince them that their impure Communion is insufficient. 5. It is needful to save Christians from damning deceit, that they may not think that a dead, barren, unholy Faith and Name of Christianity will save them, without a holy, obedient Heart and Life. 6. It is needful to keep Christ's Ordinances from falsifying Profanation: If a sealed Pardon and Gift of Life shall in the Sacraments be given, as commonly to Dogs as Children, it is a taking God's Name in vain, and profane belying Jesus Christ. 7. It is needful to bring Sinners to Repentance, that they may be Pardoned and Saved. 8. And it is needful to the comforting absolution of Penitents. 9. Accordingly God's Church in all Ages hath owned it as their Law of Christ's institution, to this day.

L. But some learned Men say, This was but because there was at first no Christian Magistrate: But when there was such the Discipline fell into their hands.

M. The first Christian Magistrates finding the Church in Possession of it, confirmed it, and too much accumulated and added to it; but took it not away. Of this see a small Book which I wrote of the Magistrates Power in Religion, to Dr. Lud. Moulin, which may end all this dispute. Briefly, I ask you, Qu. 1. Would you have all Infidels and Pagans baptized, and Communicate without any Profession of the Christian Religion first?