A second true defence of the mere nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and…A second true defence of the meer nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and…

Sect. 35. He passeth next to them that deal more ingenuously than I in owning Separation, And then returneth to me p. 151. and he over and over repeateth his false accusation, [that I think it lawful to communicate with them occasionally, but not as Churches (as thinking they want an essential part, viz. a Pastor with Episcopal Power) but as Oratories, and so that I renounce Communion with their Churches as Churches.] Answ. If these untruths had been made without evidence only, and not also against evidence, they had been the more excusable in a man of consideration: But now they are not so, when I have so often declared that I take the Parish Churches that have true Pastors for true governed Churches, and prove that they have true Bishops (Episcopos Gregis) whether the Diocesans will or not, because Gods Will ⟨p. 94⟩and not the Investers, instituteth their Office, and measureth their power, and the people show their consent by constant Communion.

Sect. 35. He passeth next to them that deal more ingenuously than I in owning Separation, And then returneth to me p. 151. and he over and over repeateth his false accusation, [that I think it lawful to communicate with them occasionally, but not as Churches (as thinking they want an essential part, viz. a Pastor with Episcopal Power) but as Oratories, and so that I renounce Communion with their Churches as Churches.] Answ. If these untruths had been made without evidence only, and not also against evidence, they had been the more excuseable in a man of consideration: But now they are not so, when I have so often declared that I take the Parish Churches that have true Pastors for true governed Churches, and prove that they have true Bishops (Episcopos Gregis) whether the Diocesans will or not, because Gods Will ⟨p. 94⟩and not the Investers, instituteth their Office, and measureth their power, and the people shew their consent by constant Communion.

Sect. 36. Then because [I never gathered a Church, nor baptized any in 20 years, nor gave the Sacrament in 18,] he would know [what Church I have been of all this time,] and he supposeth [of no Church.] Ans. I thought he had done with this before: but he thinks it an advantage not to be so easily let go. Would he know. 1. What my Thoughts were? 2. Or my Church-Covenant? 3. Or my actual Communion? He shall know all. 1. I thought divers Ministers where I lived true Pastors, and the Churches true Churches: I cannot say so of every Curate. 2. I made no Covenant with any of them: If I had Mr. Cheny would have condemned me of Atheism, Infidelity, and what not. 3. With divers of them I went constantly to the Liturgy, Sermon and Sacrament, as with true Churches, with some of them I only joined in prayer and hearing, I heard Dr. Rieves till he caused me to be sent to Jail, and then I could not: And though I was accused by many for hearing a swearer, I told them, he swore not in the Pulpit: I heard his poor Curate constantly, when I was accused for hearing a Drunkard, and told them that he was not drunk in the Pulpit. But I must tell you, I communicated also with some Nonconformists. And now account me of a Church or no Church as you please. I doubt you are renewing the Independent Questions with me, which I am loth to dispute. 1. Qu. Whether an ordained Minister must be a private Member of another mans Church? Q. 2. Whether when a Non-resident Dean leaveth his Parish to an ignorant drunken Curate, the Parish Church be essentiated by its relation to the Resident Curate, or the Non-resident Dean? Q. 3. Whether a Minister not degraded but silenced, living in such a Parish is bound took that Curate for one that hath the Pastoral Charge of his Soul, and a the rest of the flock to commit his Soul to his Pastoral Conduct in personal, private and public Offices? 4. But I would ask the Dean himself, whether a man may not be a fixed Member of two or three Churches at once? The Reasons of the Quaere, are 1. Because (by them) a man may be the fixed Pastor of two or three Parish Churches at once: And an Integral Member of many is not so hard a case, as to be a constitutive Regent Part of many. 2. Because a man may have two houses in two Parishes at once;