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

And because other Churches would admit them, they renounced all Communion with them, as no Churches of Christ. Are these our Principles, are these our Practices? do we give any countenance unto them by any thing we say or do? I somewhat wonder that the Dr. from some general Expressions, and casting their Pretences under new Appearances should seem to think that there is the least Coincidence, between what they insisted on, and what we plead in our own Defence. He may see now more fully, what are the Reasons of our Practise, and I hope ⟨p. 312⟩thereon will be of another Mind; not as unto our Cause in general, which I am far enough from the expectation of, but as unto this invidious Charge of giving Countenance unto the Schisms condemned of old in the Church. And we shall see immediately, what were the Occasions of those Schisms which we are as remote from giving countenance unto, as unto the Principles and Reasons which they pleaded in their own Justification.

And because other Churches would admit them, they renounced all Communion with them, as no Churches of Christ. Are these our Principles, are these our Practices? do we give any countenance unto them by any thing we say or do? I somewhat wonder that the Dr. from some general Expressions, and casting their Pretences under new Appearances should seem to think that there is the least Coincidence, between what they insisted on, and what we plead in our own Defence. He may see now more fully, what are the Reasons of our Practise, and I hope ⟨p. 312⟩thereon will be of another Mind; not as unto our Cause in general, which I am far enough from the expectation of, but as unto this invidious Charge of giving Countenance unto the Schismes condemned of old in the Church. And we shall see immediately, what were the Occasions of those Schismes which we are as remote from giving countenance unto, as unto the Principles and Reasons which they pleaded in their own Justification.

3. It ought also to be proved, that the Separation which is charged on us, is of the same nature with that charged on them of old, for otherwise we cannot be said to give any Countenance unto what they did. For it is known they so separated from all other Churches in the World, as to confine the Church of Christ unto their own Party, to condemn all others, and to deny Salvation unto all that abode in their Communion, which the Donatists did with the greatest fierceness. This was that which if any thing, did truly and properly constitute them Schismatics; as it doth those also, who deny at this day, Church State and Salvation, unto such Churches as have not Diocesan Bishops. Now there is no Principle in the World that we do more abhor. We grant a Church state unto all, however it may be defective or corrupted, and a possibility of Salvation unto all their Members, which are not gathered in pernicious Errors, overthrowing the Foundation, nor Idolatrous in their Worship, and who have a lawful Ministry with sufficient means for their Edification, though low in its Measures and Degrees. We judge none but with respect unto our own Duty, as unto the Impositions attempted to be laid on us, and the Acts of Communion required of us;