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…

I do not confound bare suspending Communion in some particular Rites, which Persons do modestly scruple, and using it in what they judge to be lawful; with either total, or at least ordinary forbearance of Communion in what they judge to be lawful, and proceeding to the forming of separate Congregations, i. e. under other Teachers, and by other Rules than what the established Religion allows. And this is the present Case of Separation which I intend to consider, and to make the sinfulness and mischief of it appear.

But he knows that by the Communion, and uniting our selves unto the Church, which is pressed either on Ministers or People, a total submission unto the Rule as established in the Book of Canons, and Rubric of the Liturgy, is ⟨p. 13⟩required of them all. When this is once engaged in, there is no suspending of Communion in particular Rites to be allowed; They who give up themselves hereunto, must observe the whole Rule to a tittle. Nor is it in the power of this Reverend Author, who is of great dignity in the Church, and as like as any Man I know to be inclined thereunto, to give Indulgence unto them in their abstinence from the least Ceremony enjoined. Wherefore the Question about Lay-Communion, is concerning that which is absolute and total, according unto all that is enjoined by the Laws of the Land, or by the Canons, Constitutions, and Orders of the Church. Hereby are they obliged to bring their Children to be baptized with the use of the Aerial Sign of the Cross; to kneel at the Communion; to the Religious observation of Holy-days; to the constant use of the Liturgy in all the Public Offices of the Church, unto the exclusion of the exercise of those Gifts which Christ continues to communicate for its Edification; to forego all means of Public Edification, besides that in their Parish-Churches, where, to speak with modesty, it is oft times scanty and wanting; to renounce all other Assemblies wherein they have had great experience of spiritual advantage unto their souls; to desert the observation of many useful Gospel-duties, in their mutual watch that Believers of the same Church ought to have one over another; to divest themselves of all interest of a voluntary consent in the Discipline of the Church, and choice of their own Pastors; and to submit unto an Ecclesiastical Rule and Discipline, which not one in a thousand of them can apprehend to have any thing in it of the Authority of Christ or Rule of the Gospel; and other things of the like nature may be added.