An answer to Dr. Stillingfleet's Mischief of separation being a letter written out of…An ansvver to Dr. Stillingfleet's Mischief of separation being a letter written out of…

Again, for his Notion of Churches, p. 16, 17, 18, 19. examine; as strictly as you will, what he says about it; And see whether it come to any thing more than only to represent a National Church a possible thing? and whereto the name Church may, without absurdity, be given. His own words seem to aim no higher. Why may there not be one National Church from the consent in the same Articles of Religion, and the same order of Worship? pag. 18. The word was used in the first Ages of the Christian Church, as it comprehended the Ecclesiastical Governors, and the people of whole Cities. And why many of these Cities being united together under one Civil Government, and the same Rules of Religion, should not be called one National Church, I cannot understand, p. 19.

Again, for his Notion of Churches, p. 16, 17, 18, 19. examine; as strictly as you will, what he says about it; And see whether it come to any thing more than only to represent a National Church a possible thing? and whereto the name Church may, without absurdity, be given. His own words seem to aim no higher. Why may there not be one National Church from the consent in the same Articles of Religion, and the same order of Worship? pag. 18. The word was used in the first Ages of the Christian Church, as it comprehended the Ecclesiastical Governours, and the people of whole Cities. And why many of these Cities being united together under one Civil Government, and the same Rules of Religion, should not be called one National Church, I cannot understand, p. 19.

But can it now be inferred thence, that therefore God hath actually constituted every Christian Kingdom or Nation such a Church? Can it further be inferred, that he hath invested ⟨p. 25⟩the Guides of this Church, not chosen by the people (according Scripture, and Primitive practice for some ages) with a power to make Laws and Decrees, prescribing not only things necessary for common order and decency, but new federal Rites, and teaching Signs and Symbols, superadded to the whole Christian Institution; with many more dubious and unnecessary things besides? and to exclude sober and pious Christians, from the Privileges that are proper to the Christian Church, as such, merely for that out of conscience towards God, they dare not admit into their Worship those Additions to the Christian Religion? To take order they shall have no Pastors, no Sacraments, no Assemblies for Worship? and because they will not be so much more than Christians, that they shall not be Christians at all?