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,…

They that live in London, where it hath ever been usual to go to Neighbour Parish-Churches from their own, and where ⟨p. 22⟩custom, and abundance of accidents make the inconveniences less, have not so much against their different Church-meetings, as those in Country Towns and Parishes have, 13. Those that live where the Nonconformists are the main body of the people, and the rest are such for number and quality, whose displeasure is of less public consequence, have the less against their distinct Church-meetings. 14. Those who live where the Nonconformists are few, and the Conformists for number and quality most considerable, and are like to be greatly exasperated by distinct Churches, must deny their own personal conveniences, rather than hinder a greater good, and may not do that which others may do. 15. When the public good forbids it, the tolerated Ministers must not gather distinct Church-Assemblies, but join with the public Churches, and help the people by their instructions at other times. 16. When the public good forbids it not, the tolerated Ministers must hold distinct Assemblies, for assistance in Doctrine, Worship, and Discipline, as near as they can to the will of God. But so as to further, and not disgrace nor hinder, the honest Parish-Ministers; living with them in Unity, Love, and Peace: and whether de nomine their Assemblies shall be called distinct Churches, is a case of no great moment, though I think that it is fittest to take them for ⟨p. 23⟩distinct Churches, secundum quid, and not simpliciter, as many Chapels be: Seeing though in the Assemblies they distinctly worship God, &c. yet they hold personal Communion in a godly conversation with the rest of the Christians in the Parish, and should sometimes also assemble with them. And so much for my own opinion in this case.

They that live in London, where it hath ever been usual to go to Neighbour Parish-Churches from their own, and where ⟨p. 22⟩custome, and abundance of accidents make the inconveniencies less, have not so much against their different Church-meetings, as those in Countrey Towns and Parishes have, 13. Those that live where the Nonconformists are the main body of the people, and the rest are such for number and quality, whose displeasure is of less publick consequence, have the less against their distinct Church-meetings. 14. Those who live where the Nonconformists are few, and the Conformists for number and quality most considerable, and are like to be greatly exasperated by distinct Churches, must deny their own personal conveniencies, rather than hinder a greater good, and may not do that which others may do. 15. When the publick good forbids it, the tolerated Ministers must not gather distinct Church-Assemblies, but joyn with the publick Churches, and help the people by their instructions at other times. 16. When the publick good forbids it not, the tolerated Ministers must hold distinct Assemblies, for assistance in Doctrine, Worship, and Discipline, as near as they can to the will of God. But so as to further, and not disgrace nor hinder, the honest Parish-Ministers; living with them in Unity, Love, and Peace: and whether de nomine their Assemblies shall be called distinct Churches, is a case of no great moment, though I think that it is fittest to take them for