A brief vindication of the non-conformists from the charge of schism as it was…A brief vindication of the non-conformists from the charge of schisme as it was…

It is no Encouragement unto Conscientious Men, to unite themselves absolutely and in all things, unto such a Church, as doth not, […], or as cannot Reform itself, in such a degenerate ⟨p. 6⟩state as that which many Churches in the world are at this day openly and visibly fallen into. And to deal plainly with our Brethren, (if they will allow us to call them so) that they may know what to expect, and, if it be the Will of God, be directed into the only true way of Uniting all Protestants, in the only Bands of Evangelical Union, Order and Communion, unless those who are concerned, will endeavour, and until they are enabled in some measure to effect a Reformation in the Ministry and People, as unto their Relation to the Church, as also in some things in the worship of God itself, it is vain to expect that the Nonconformists should unite with the Church, however established. And may we not think that those many Warnings and Calls of God, may have some respect unto these Abominations that are found in the Nation, yea, such as without a due Reformation of them will issue in our Desolation? I do know that with the Nonconformists also, there are Sins against the Lord their God; and it will be a great addition unto their sins, as also an aggravation of their guilt, if they comply not with the warnings of God, as they are here expressed by this Reverend Author, so as to Reform whatever is amiss in them, and return wholly unto God, from all their wanderings. But as unto those things which are usually charged on them, they are such as Interest, Hatred, and the desire of their Ruin suggest unto the minds of their Adversaries; or are used by some against their Science and Conscience to further that end, without the least pretence to be raised from any thing in them, their Opinions, Practices, or Conversation in the world. Doth Atheism abound among us? it is from the Differences in Religion made by Nonconformists. Is there danger of Popery? it is because of the Nonconformists. Are the Judgments of God coming on the Nation? it is for Nonconformity. So was it of old with the Christians; Si Tybris ascendit in maenis, si Nilus non ascendit in arva, si Coelum stetit, si Terra movit, si Fames, si Lues; statim Christianos ad Leonem.

It is no Encouragement unto Conscientious Men, to unite themselves absolutely and in all things, unto such a Church, as doth not, 〈…〉, or as cannot Reform itself, in such a degenerate ⟨p. 6⟩