And then take heed that you fall not into the hands of separating dividers of Christs Church. The most notorious and dangerous of them are of these three sorts: 1. The last mentioned, the Papists: They are the most notorious Schismatics and Separatists that ⟨p. 508⟩ever Gods Church did know on Earth: For my part, I think their Schism is more dangerous and wicked then the rest of their false Doctrine. The unmerciful, proud, self-seeking wretches would like the Donatists, make us believe that God hath no true Church on Earth but they: and that all the Christians in Ethiopia, Asia, Germany, Hungary, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgia, and the rest of the World that acknowledge not their Pope of Rome to be Head of all the Churches in the World, are none of Christs Churches, nor ever were. Thus do they separate from all the Churches on Earth, and confine all Religion and Salvation to themselves, who so notoriously depart from Christs way of salvation. Indeed the extreme diligence that they use in visiting the sick, and soliciting all men to their Church and way, is plainly to get themselves followers; and they are everywhere more industrious to enlarge the Popes Kingdom, then Christs. So far are they from studying the Unity of the Catholic Church which they so much talk of, that they will admit none to be of that Church, nor to be saved, but their own party, as if indeed the Pope had the Keys of Heaven. Indeed they are the most impudent Sectaries and Schismatics on Earth. 2. The next to them are the Anabaptists, ⟨p. 509⟩whose Doctrine is not in it self so dangerous as their Schism and gathering Disciples so zealously to themselves: And so strange a curse of God hath followed them hitherto, as may deter any sober Christian from rash adventuring on their way. Even now when they are higher in the world then ever they were on earth, yet do the judicious see Gods heavy judgement upon them, in their Congregations and Conversations. 3. Lastly, meddle not with those commonly called Separatists; for they will make a prey of you for the increase of their party. I do not mean that you should separate from these two last, as they do from us, and have nothing to do with them, nor acknowledge them Christians. But seek not their advice and make them not of your counsel.
And then take heed that you fall not into the hands of separating dividers of Christs Church. The most notorious and dangerous of them are of these three sorts: 1. The last mentioned, the Papists: They are the most notorious Schismaticks and Separatists that ⟨p. 508⟩ever Gods Church did know on Earth: For my part, I think their Schism is more dangerous and wicked then the rest of their false Doctrine. The unmerciful, proud, self-seeking wretches would like the Donatists, make us believe that God hath no true Church on Earth but they: and that all the Christians in Ethiopia, Asia, Germany, Hungary, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgia, and the rest of the World that acknowledge not their Pope of Rome to be Head of all the Churches in the World, are none of Christs Churches, nor ever were. Thus do they separate from all the Churches on Earth, and confine all Religion and Salvation to themselves, who so notoriously depart from Christs way of salvation. Indeed the extreme diligence that they use in visiting the sick, and soliciting all men to their Church and way, is plainly to get themselves followers; and they are everywhere more industrious to enlarge the Popes Kingdom, then Christs. So far are they from studying the Unity of the Catholick Church which they so much talk of, that they will admit none to be of that Church, nor to be saved, but their own party, as if indeed the Pope had the Keys of Heaven. Indeed they are the most impudent Sectaries and Schismaticks on Earth. 2. The next to them are the Anabaptists, ⟨p. 509⟩whose Doctrine is not in it self so dangerous as their Schism and gathering Disciples so zealously to themselves: And so strange a curse of God hath followed them hitherto, as may deter any sober Christian from rash adventuring on their way. Even now when they are higher in the world then ever they were on earth, yet do the judicious see Gods heavy judgement upon them, in their Congregations and Conversations. 3. Lastly, meddle not with those commonly called Separatists; for they will make a prey of you for the increase of their party. I do not mean that you should separate from these two last, as they do from us, and have nothing to do with them, nor acknowledge them Christians. But seek not their advice and make them not of your counsel.
