A second admonition to Mr. Edward Bagshaw written to call him to repentance for…

1. It is Ridiculous, to argue, If a Diocesan Church as such is not to be communicated with, then a Parish Church as such is to be separated from. For the [as such] in the Antecedent and Consequent denoteth two several things: You should only have inferred [Then a Parish Church as part of a Diocesan is not to be Communicated with] Which is nothing to the question. And when you say that there is the same reason of the Parts and whole; I answer, that must be only as they are parts; but not in all other alien respects. If a Parish Church be to be disclaimed or not owned only as it is a part of a Diocesan Church, yet it may be owned, 1. As a true Church of Christians, in its constitution. 2. And as a Parish Church, limited by those bounds, without respect to the Diocesan.

1. It is Ridiculous, to argue, If a Diocesane Church as such is not to be communicated with, then a Parish Church as such is to be separated from. For the [as such] in the Antecedent and Consequent denoteth two several things: You should only have inferred [Then a Parish Church as part of a Diocesane is not to be Communicated with] Which is nothing to the question. And when you say that there is the same reason of the Parts and whole; I answer, that must be only as they are parts; but not in all other alien respects. If a Parish Church be to be disclaimed or not owned only as it is a part of a Diocesane Church, yet it may be owned, 1. As a true Church of Christians, in its constitution. 2. And as a Parish Church, limited by those bounds, without respect to the Diocesane.

2. And if it were to be disowned as a Parish Church, that also is nothing to the Question; For it may yet be owned for its Constitutive parts as a Christian Church.

I will show you your Argument in another case. Suppose that Usurpers should alter the form of Kingly Government, and set up themselves in another form, and should allow all the Independent Churches in the Land, but set over them Civil officers in every County of their own; and should make a Law, that none shall be a member of a Church that liveth not within five miles of the Meeting place. In this case, the Church is a Church in its own Constitution; and that it is confirmed to a Parochial circuit, or that it is under usurping Magistrates is an accidental thing, which doth not nullify it. And if you argue [If the Usurpers Commonwealth as such, be not to be communicated with or owned, then the Church which is part of it is not to be owned. Yes, as a Church, but not as a part of the Common-wealth.