1. No Church, of what denomination soever, can lay a claim unto this Privilege, as belonging unto itself alone. This was the ancient Donatism; They confined Salvation unto the Churches of their Way alone. And after many false charges of it on others, it begins really to be renewed in our days. For some dispute, that Salvation is confined unto that Church alone, wherein there is a Succession of Diocesan Bishops; which is the height of Donatism. The Judgments and Determinations made concerning the Eternal Salvation or Damnation of Men, by the measures of some differences among Christians about Churches, their State and Order, are absurd, foolish, and impious, and for the most part used by them, who sufficiently proclaim, that they know neither what it is to be saved, nor do use any diligence about the necessary means of it. Salvation depends absolutely on no particular Church-state in the world; he knows not the Gospel, who can really think it doth. Persons of Believers are not for the Church, but the Church is for them: if the Ministry of Angels be for them who are Heirs of Salvation, much more is the Ministry of the Church so. If a man be an Adulterer, an Idolater, a Railer, a hater & scoffer of Godliness; if he choose to live in any known sin, without Repentance, or in the neglect of any known duty; if he be ignorant and profane; in a word, if he be not born again from above, be he of what Church he will, and whatsoever place he possess therein, he cannot be saved. And on the other side, if a man believe in Christ Jesus, that is, know him in his Person, Offices, Doctrine and Grace, trust unto him for all the ends of the wisdom and love of God towards Mankind in him; if he endeavour ⟨p. 155⟩to yield sincere and universal obedience unto all his commands, and to be conformed unto him, in all things following his example, having for these ends received of his Spirit; though all the Churches in the world should reject him, yet he shall undoubtedly be saved. If any shall hence infer, that then it is all one of what Church any one is: I answer, (1.) That although the being of this or that, or any particular Church in the world, will not secure the Salvation of any men; yet the adherence unto some Churches, or such as are so called, in their constitution and worship, may prejudice, yea, ruin the Salvation of any that shall so do. (2.)
1. No Church, of what denomination soever, can lay a claim unto this Priviledge, as belonging unto itself alone. This was the antient Donatism; They confined Salvation unto the Churches of their Way alone. And after many false charges of it on others, it begins really to be renewed in our days. For some dispute, that Salvation is confined unto that Church alone, wherein there is a Succession of Diocesan Bishops; which is the height of Donatism. The Judgments and Determinations made concerning the Eternal Salvation or Damnation of Men, by the measures of some differences among Christians about Churches, their State and Order, are absurd, foolish, and impious, and for the most part used by them, who sufficiently proclaim, that they know neither what it is to be saved, nor do use any diligence about the necessary means of it. Salvation depends absolutely on no particular Church-state in the world; he knows not the Gospel, who can really think it doth. Persons of Believers are not for the Church, but the Church is for them: if the Ministry of Angels be for them who are Heirs of Salvation, much more is the Ministry of the Church so. If a man be an Adulterer, an Idolater, a Rayler, a hater & scoffer of Godliness; if he choose to live in any known sin, without Repentance, or in the neglect of any known duty; if he be ignorant and prophane; in a word, if he be not born again from above, be he of what Church he will, and whatsoever place he possess therein, he cannot be saved. And on the other side, if a man believe in Christ Jesus, that is, know him in his Person, Offices, Doctrine and Grace, trust unto him for all the ends of the wisdom and love of God towards Mankind in him; if he endeavour ⟨p. 155⟩to yield sincere and universal obedience unto all his commands, and to be conformed unto him, in all things following his example, having for these ends received of his Spirit; though all the Churches in the world should reject him, yet he shall undoubtedly be saved. If any shall hence infer, that then it is all one of what Church any one is: I answer, (1.) That although the being of this or that, or any particular Church in the world, will not secure the Salvation of any men; yet the adherence unto some Churches, or such as are so called, in their constitution and worship, may prejudice, yea, ruine the Salvation of any that shall so do. (2.)
