Sacrilegious desertion of the holy ministry rebuked, and tolerated preaching of the gospel vindicated,…Sacrilegious desertion of the holy ministery rebuked, and tolerated preaching of the gospel vindicated,…

23. In all these Cases following, the Nonconformists will hold distinct Church-Assemblies from the Parish Churches. 1. Where the Parish Church is not capable of them, as was last instanced, by reason of the number. 2. When the Parish Priest is one to whom wise men may not commit the care of their Souls, and one whose Ministry is not to be owned, (I would there were none such.) ⟨p. 14⟩3. When the Ejected Minister in foro conscientiae & Ecclesiae verè sic dictae, retaineth still his Ancient Relation to his Flock, and part of them Schismatically separate from him, and join with an intruder publicly, that never had a lawful Call, and the other half separate not from their ancient Pastor. Its possible the obtruder, though he have the Temple, may be the Schismatic. Ask Dr. Wild, and Dr. Gunning whether they thought not so 14. years ago. 4. It may be some that are more compliant than my self with good peoples weaknesses and humours, when there is none of the foresaid Reasons, may rather choose to be Pastors to honest Separatists, or Anabaptists, than by deserting them to leave them to do worse. And what great matter of injury or provocation should this seem to any peaceable man? Envy is too odious a thing for any Servant of Christ to own. Is it in the power of Anabaptists to bring all their judgments to yours. And till they can, must they be quite cast off. Who knoweth not how many Ages the Novatians were tolerated by the wisest and godlyest Emperors and Bishops; yea, what black characters are given by pious Historians, of Ithacius, and his fellow Bishops, who first in France did set the Sword awork even against Heresies, and of Cyril at Alexandria, who first as a Bishop used it himself. 5. But that's not all: What if any number of persons as good as you, ⟨p. 15⟩shall think that the Liturgy is guilty of all the Disorders and Defects which once were charged on it, and of some Doctrinal Corruptions since: And what if they think that the Parish Churches are void of Christs true Discipline, and are under an Alien, one which they judge unlawful. What if they say that yet your Churches may be true Churches, and all this may be submitted to, when we can have and do no better; but he that can serve God in a manner more agreeable to his Word, is bound to do it; and not to offer God the worst, when the King alloweth us to do our best.

23. In all these Cases following, the Nonconformists will hold distinct Church-Assemblies from the Parish Churches. 1. Where the Parish Church is not capable of them, as was last instanced, by reason of the number. 2. When the Parish Priest is one to whom wise men may not commit the care of their Souls, and one whose Ministry is not to be owned, (I would there were none such.)