The Covenant of Grace

3 Experience doth also testifie, de facto, that such a course is possible to be used and practised without making such disorder and confusion, as is conceived by some: For notwithstanding it be practised by some Churches (not only Congregational, but Presbyterial also, and Classical) to have their Members scattered up and down in several Precincts or Parishes, yet there have not any such confusion and disorder followed thereupon: as we have seen by the constant practice of our Brethren in the Congregations both of the Dutch ⟨p. 21⟩and French here amongst us in England, as viz. in London, Norwich, Canterbury, Colchester, and in such other places where they do inhabit; who although they be dispersed throughout the Cities and Townes where they live, yet are not thought, nor ever were by any (except possibly by some of the Lordly Prelates, who out of their superstitious zeal did seek to undermine and dissolve their Congregations) to be any occasion of disorder and confusion by their Meeting together in their holy Assemblies, from all parts of the Cities and Townes where they dwell. And why might not the like liberty be allowed unto the English themselves, without any just fear of disorder thereby? There seems nothing but custom against it, for had it been but the practice and course of the English, as it hath been of the other, certainly it would not be accounted more disorderly then theirs is.

3 Experience doth also testifie, de facto, that such a course is possible to be used and practised without making such disorder and confusion, as is conceived by some: For notwithstanding it be practised by some Churches (not onely Congregationall, but Presbyteriall also, and Classicall) to have their Members scattered up and down in severall Precincts or Parishes, yet there have not any such confusion and disorder followed thereupon: as we have seen by the constant practice of our Brethren in the Congregations both of the Dutch ⟨p. 21⟩and French here amongst us in England, as viz. in London, Norwich, Canterbury, Colchester, and in such other places where they doe inhabit; who although they be dispersed throughout the Cities and Townes where they live, yet are not thought, nor ever were by any (except possibly by some of the Lordly Prelates, who out of their superstitious zeale did seek to undermine and dissolve their Congregations) to be any occasion of disorder and confusion by their Meeting together in their holy Assemblies, from all parts of the Cities and Townes where they dwell. And why might not the like liberty be allowed unto the English themselves, without any just feare of disorder thereby? There seems nothing but custome against it, for had it been but the practice and course of the English, as it hath beene of the other, certainly it would not be accounted more disorderly then theirs is.