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…

But to give strength hereunto, it is added; Just as several Fam••••• united make one Kingdom, which at first had a distinct and independent Power, but it would make strange confusion in the World, to reduce Kingdoms back again to Families, because at first they were made up of them. pag. 17. Which is again insisted on, pag. 31. But the case is not the same. For if indeed God had appointed no other Civil Government in the World but that of Families, I should not much oppose them who would endeavour peaceably to reduce all Government thereunto. But whereas we are certain, that God by the Light of the Law of Nature, by the Ends and Use of the Creation of Man, and by express Revelation in his Word, hath by his own Authority appointed and approved other sorts of Civil Government, in Kingdoms and Common-weals, we esteem it not only a madness to endeavour a Reduction of all Government into Families, as unto the possibility of the thing; but a direct opposition unto the Authority, Command, and Institution of God. So if these National Churches were of the immediate Institution of Christ ⟨p. 18⟩himself, we should no more plead the exemption of particular Churches from any Power given them by Christ as such, than we do to exempt private Families from the lawful Government of public Magistrates. And we must also add, that whatever be their Original and Constitution, if all their Governors were as the Apostles, yet have they no power but what is for Edification, and not for Destruction; If they do or shall appoint and impose on men what tends unto the Destruction of their Souls, and not unto their Edification, as it is fallen out in the Church of Rome; not only particular Churches, but every individual Believer is warranted to withdraw from their Communion; and hereon we ground the Lawfulness of our Separation from the Church of Rome, without any need of a retreat unto the late Device of the Power of Provincial Churches to reform themselves. Let none mistake themselves herein, Believers are not made for Churches, but Churches are appointed for Believers. Their Edification, their Guidance and Direction in the Profession of the Faith and Performance of Divine Worship in Assemblies according to the Mind of God, is their use and end; without which they are of no signification.

But to give strength hereunto, it is added; Just as several Fam••••• united make one Kingdom, which at first had a distinct and independent Power, but it would make strange confusion in the World, to reduce Kingdoms back again to Families, because at first they were made up of them. pag. 17. Which is again insisted on, pag. 31. But the case is not the same. For if indeed God had appointed no other Civil Government in the World but that of Families, I should not much oppose them who would endeavour peaceably to reduce all Government thereunto. But whereas we are certain, that God by the Light of the Law of Nature, by the Ends and Use of the Creation of Man, and by express Revelation in his Word, hath by his own Authority appointed and approved other sorts of Civil Government, in Kingdoms and Common-weals, we esteem it not only a madness to endeavour a Reduction of all Government into Families, as unto the possibility of the thing; but a direct opposition unto the Authority, Command, and Institution of God. So if these National Churches were of the immediate Institution of Christ