A search for the English schismatic by the case and characters I. of the…A search for the English schismatick by the case and characters I. of the…

They often tell us of the Nullity of the Ministry, or Power which is not received from Episcopal Superiors; Especially Bishop Gunning and Mr. Dodwell, hence draw dismal degrading and unchurching Consequences. And yet thus they condemn both the English, and Roman, and Universal Church. If Church-power be given by Inferiors, the Independents are not to be confuted: If from equals, as Generation is, as men generate men, and Physicians make Physicians, &c. then Presbyters may make Presbyters. If it must be by Superior Power, then who maketh Archbishops in England, or ⟨p. 27⟩Popes at Rome, who have no Superiors, and so (by them) no authority? So much for the Historical Characters of the Canonical Conformists.

But after all this, we grant, that there is some tie and union among them; They all own Archbishops, Bishops, Deans and Chapters, Archdeacons, with an Et caetera; the rest as the Canon speaketh: They all agree to declare and subscribe the words imposed, and promise or Covenant accordingly, and swear Obedience to their Ordinaries. E. g. Though such as Mr. Bull and Dr. Tully write against each other, of Justification as by Faith or Works; though many are very much against the Doctrine of Mr. Thorndike, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sherlock, and such other; yet they all subscribe the same Articles about Justification, Free-will, Predestination. And I doubt not but there are very many not only Learned, but Pious men among them, who yet by strong prejudice and passion, through education, converse, cross interests, and unacquaintedness with Dissenters, and the many scandals that have risen, and the extremes which many have run into, are possest with a conceit, that the ruin, imprisonment, banishment or silencing of Nonconformists, is necessary to the prosperity of their party, called by them The Church.

But after all this, we grant, that there is some tye and union among them; They all own Archbishops, Bishops, Deans and Chapters, Archdeacons, with an Et caetera; the rest as the Canon speaketh: They all agree to declare and subscribe the words imposed, and promise or Covenant accordingly, and swear Obedience to their Ordinaries. E. g. Though such as Mr. Bull and Dr. Tully write against each other, of Justification as by Faith or Works; though many are very much against the Doctrine of Mr. Thorndike, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sherlock, and such other; yet they all subscribe the same Articles about Justification, Free-will, Predestination. And I doubt not but there are very many not only Learned, but Pious men among them, who yet by strong prejudice and passion, through education, converse, cross interests, and unacquaintedness with Dissenters, and the many scandals that have risen, and the extremes which many have run into, are possest with a conceit, that the ruine, imprisonment, banishment or silencing of Nonconformists, is necessary to the prosperity of their party, called by them The Church.