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

3. The Church Communion required by virtue of this Rule is constant and complete, exclusive unto any other Church Order, or means of public Edification. It doth not command or appoint that men should communicate in Parochial Assemblies, when there is Occasion, when it is for their Edification, when scandal would arise if they should refuse it; but absolutely and completely. And whereas there are many things relating unto Church Order and Divine Worship enjoined in that Rule, there is no Distinction made between them, that some things are always necessary, that is in the seasons of them, and some things wherein men may forbear a Compliance, but they are all equally required in their places and seasons; though perhaps on different Penalties. And whoever fails in the Observation of any Ceremony, time or place, appointed therein, is in the Power of them who are entrusted ⟨p. 200⟩with the Administration of Church Power or Jurisdiction; for the Discipline of the Church it cannot be called. Suppose a Man would comply with all other things, only he esteems the use of one Rite or Ceremony, as the Cross in Baptism, or the like, to be unlawful; if he forbear the use of it, or to tender his Child unto Baptism where it is used, he is to be cut off as a Schismatic from the Communion of the Church, no less then if he had absolutely refused a Compliance with the whole Rule. And therefore whatever Condescension and Forbearance in some things is pretended, He that doth not in all things observe the whole Rule, is in Misericordia Concellarii; which oft proves an uneasy Posture. If any men think that the Lord Christ hath given them such a Power and Authority over the Souls and Consciences of his Disciples, as that they can bind them unto the Religious Observance of every Rite and Ceremony that they are pleased to appoint, on the Penalty of Excision from all Church Communion, and the Guilt of Schism, I shall only say, that I am not of their Mind, nor ever shall be so.

3. The Church Communion required by vertue of this Rule is constant and compleat, exclusive unto any other Church Order, or means of publick Edification. It doth not command or appoint that men should communicate in Parochial Assemblies, when there is Occasion, when it is for their Edification, when scandal would arise if they should refuse it; but absolutely and compleatly. And whereas there are many things relating unto Church Order and Divine Worship enjoyned in that Rule, there is no Distinction made between them, that some things are always necessary, that is in the seasons of them, and some things wherein men may forbear a Compliance, but they are all equally required in their places and seasons; though perhaps on different Penalties. And whoever fails in the Observation of any Ceremony, time or place, appointed therein, is in the Power of them who are entrusted