An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches.…

2. These things being premised, we shall enquire in the first place, what is the Rule of that Communion with the Church of England in its Parochial Assemblies, which is required of us. If this be pleaded to be a Rule of divine Prescription, we acknowledge that great diligence and humility are required unto the consideration of it, that we be not mistaken. And if it prove to be according to the Mind of Christ, that is, of his Institution, if we fail of a compliance with it, we are guilty of Schism. But if the Rule, prescribing, limiting, and exacting this Communion, be not so much as pleaded to be of divine Institution, whatever fault there may be in our dissent from it, Schism it is not; For Ecclesiastical Schism neither hath nor can have respect unto any thing but divine Institutions. For if it hath, it is in the Power of any sort of men, to make Schismatics of whom they please, as practically and in pretence, it is ⟨p. 197⟩come to pass at this day in the World. Now the Rule of the Communion required, is the Law of the Land, the Book of Canons, with the Rubric of the Common Prayer. If according to the Prescriptions, Directions, and Commands, given in them, we do join our selves in Communion with Parochial Assemblies, then are we judged conformable to the Church of England, and not else. By and according unto these, are all enquiries made concerning Communion with the Church; and if they are observed, the return is, Omnia bene. Now this Rule hath no divine Warrant for its Institution, no Example in the Primitive Churches, especially considering what are the things which it obliges us unto; nor can be made consistent with the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made his Disciples free. A Dissent from this Rule, is as far from Schism as any man need desire it. For nothing is so, but what respects some Command or Institution of Christ, which immediately affects the Conscience. It is true, the Lord Christ hath Commanded that Love, Union, Peace and Order, whereof Schism is a disturbance, and whereunto it is opposite. But they are that Love, Union and Order which he hath appointed.

2. These things being premised, we shall enquire in the first place, what is the Rule of that Communion with the Church of England in its Parochial Assemblies, which is required of us. If this be pleaded to be a Rule of divine Prescription, we acknowledge that great diligence and humility are required unto the consideration of it, that we be not mistaken. And if it prove to be according to the Mind of Christ, that is, of his Institution, if we fail of a compliance with it, we are guilty of Schisme. But if the Rule, prescribing, limiting, and exacting this Communion, be not so much as pleaded to be of divine Institution, whatever fault there may be in our dissent from it, Schisme it is not; For Ecclesiastical Schisme neither hath nor can have respect unto any thing but divine Institutions. For if it hath, it is in the Power of any sort of men, to make Schismaticks of whom they please, as practically and in pretence, it is