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

Nor Secondly; Are we any more concerned in the long story that ensues about the Rise and Progress of Separation from the Church of England, with the Mistakes of some in Principles, and Miscarriages in Practise, who judged it their Duty to be Separate. For as in our refraining from total Communion with the Parochial Assemblies of the Church of England, we proceed not on the same Principles, so we hope that we are free from the same Miscarriages with them, or any of an alike Nature. But it is also certain, that after the great Confusion that was b•ought on the whole State and Order of the Church, under the Roman Apostasy, many of those who attempted a Reformation; fell into different Opinions and Practises in sundry things, which the Papists have made many a long story about. We undertake the Defence only of our own Principles and Practises according unto them. Nor do we esteem our selves obliged to justify or reflect on others.

Nor Secondly; Are we any more concerned in the long story that ensues about the Rise and Progress of Separation from the Church of England, with the Mistakes of some in Principles, and Miscarriages in Practise, who judged it their Duty to be Separate. For as in our refraining from total Communion with the Parochial Assemblies of the Church of England, we proceed not on the same Principles, so we hope that we are free from the same Miscarriages with them, or any of an alike Nature. But it is also certain, that after the great Confusion that was b•ought on the whole State and Order of the Church, under the Roman Apostacy, many of those who attempted a Reformation; fell into different Opinions and Practises in sundry things, which the Papists have made many a long story about. We undertake the Defence only of our own Principles and Practises according unto them. Nor do we esteem our selves obliged to justifie or reflect on others.

And it were no difficult Task, to compose a Story of the proceedings of some in the Church of England with reference unto these Differences, that would have as ill an Aspect as that which is here reported. Should an Account be given of their unaccountable Rigour and Severity, in that, through so many years, yea Ages, they would never think of the least Abatement of their Impositions, in any one Instance, though acknowledged by themselves indifferent, and esteemed by others unlawful; although they saw what woeful Detriment arose to the Churches thereby; Yea, how instead thereof they did to the last of their Power, make a Progress in the same course, by attempting new Canons to inflame the Difference, and increased in Severities towards all Dissenters; should an Account be given of the Silencings, Deprivings, Imprisonings, by the High Commission Court, and in most of the Dioceses of the Kingdom, of so great Numbers of Godly, Learned, Faithful, Painful Ministers, to the unspeakable disadvantage of the Church and Nation, with the Ruin of the most of them and their Families; the Representation of their Names, Qualifications, evident usefulness in the Ministry, with the Causes of their Sufferings, wherein the Observance of some Ceremonies was openly preferred before the Edification of the Church, and a great Means of the Conversion of Souls; would give as ill a Demonstration of Christian Wisdom, Love, Moderation, Condescension, Zeal for the Propagation of the Gospel, as any thing doth, on the other hand, in the History before us. It would not be omitted on such an Occasion to declare what Multitudes of pious, peaceable Protestants, were driven by their Severities to leave their Native Country, to seek a Refuge for their Lives and Liberties, with freedom for the