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…

(1.) There is not the least intimation of any such Rule to be given by them in the Scripture. There are in it as was before observed many express Rules both general and particular, about Churches, their Faith, Worship, and mens walking in them, thoroughly sufficient to direct the Duty and Practice of all Believers in all cases and occurrences relating to them. But of any such Rule as that here pretended, there is no mention; which certainly if it had been given, and of the importance which now it is pleaded to be of, such as that without it, neither Peace, nor Unity, nor Order can be preserved in Churches, some intimation at least would have been made of it therein. Especially we may judge it would have been so, seeing sundry things (every thing so far as we can understand) wherein the Edification of the Church is any way concerned, are recorded in it, though of little or no use in comparison of what so great and general a Rule would be of Besides there is that Doctrine delivered, and those Directions given by them in the Scripture, concerning the Liberty of Believers and forbearance of Dissenters, as is inconsistent with such a Rule and the Imposition of it.

(1.) There is not the least intimation of any such Rule to be given by them in the Scripture. There are in it as was before observed many express Rules both general and particular, about Churches, their Faith, Worship, and mens walking in them, thoroughly sufficient to direct the Duty and Practice of all Believers in all cases and occurences relating to them. But of any such Rule as that here pretended, there is no mention; which certainly if it had been given, and of the importance which now it is pleaded to be of, such as that without it, neither Peace, nor Unity, nor Order can be preserved in Churches, some intimation at least would have been made of it therein. Especially we may judge it would have been so, seeing sundry things (every thing so far as we can understand) wherein the Edification of the Church is any way concerned, are recorded in it, though of little or no use in comparison of what so great and general a Rule would be of Besides there is that Doctrine delivered, and those Directions given by them in the Scripture, concerning the Liberty of Believers and forbearance of Diffenters, as is inconsistent with such a Rule and the Imposition of it.