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

Upon the Consideration of these Schisms, the Dr. concludes, that on these Grounds there hath scarce been any considerable Schism in the Christian Church, but may be justified upon Dr. O's Reasons, for Separation from our Church. Concerning which I must take the Liberty to say, that I do not remember that ever I read in any Learned Author, an Inference made, or Conclusion asserted, that had so little countenance given unto it by the Premises whence it is inferred, as there is into this, by the Instances before insisted on, whence it is pretended to be educed.

Upon the Consideration of these Schismes, the Dr. concludes, that on these Grounds there hath scarce been any considerable Schisme in the Christian Church, but may be justified upon Dr. O's Reasons, for Seperation from our Church. Concerning which I must take the Liberty to say, that I do not remember that ever I read in any Learned Author, an Inference made, or Conclusion asserted, that had so little countenance given unto it by the Premises whence it is inferred, as there is into this, by the Instances before insisted on, whence it is pretended to be educed.

All that is of Argument in this story, is this, that there were of old some Bishops, with one or two who would have been Bishops, and could not, who to exalt and countenance themselves against those who were preferred to Bishoprics, before them, and above them, invented and maintained false doctrinal Principles, the confession whereof they would have imposed on other Churches; and because they were not admitted, they separated at once from all other Churches in the World, but their own, condemning them as no Churches, as not having the Sacraments or means of Salvation; for which they were condemned as Schismatics; therefore those who own not Subjection to Diocesan Bishops, by virtue of any Institution or Command of Christ, who refrain Communion from Parochial Assemblies, because they cannot without Sin to themselves, comply with all things imposed on them in the Worship of God, and Ecclesiastical Rule, without judging their state, or the Salvation of their Members, are in like manner as they, guilty of Schism.

All that is of Argument in this story, is this, that there were of old some Bishops, with one or two who would have been Bishops, and could not, who to exalt and countenance themselves against those who were preferred to Bishopricks, before them, and above them, invented and maintained false doctrinal Principles, the confession whereof they would have imposed on other Churches; and because they were not admitted, they separated at once from all other Churches in the World, but their own, condemning them as no Churches, as not having the Sacraments or means of Salvation; for which they were condemned as Schismaticks; therefore those who own not Subjection to Diocesan Bishops, by vertue of any Institution or Command of Christ, who refrain Communion from Parochial Assemblies, because they cannot without Sin to themselves, comply with all things imposed on them in the Worship of God, and Ecclesiastical Rule, without judging their state, or the Salvation of their Members, are in like manner as they, guilty of Schisme.