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

But we have fixed grounds whereon to Try, Examine, Judge and Condemn all Schisms that are justly so called, all such as those before mentioned. If Separations arise and proceed from Principles of false Doctrine and Errors, like those of the Novatians and Donatists; if they are occasioned by Ambition and desire of Preeminence, like those that fell out among the Bishops of those days, when their Parishes and claims were not regulated by the Civil Power as now they are; If they do so from a Desire to impose Principles and Practises not warranted in the Scripture, on others, as it was with Tertullian; If for slight Reasons they rend and destroy that ⟨p. 321⟩Church state and order which themselves approve of, as it was with all the ancient Schismatics, who were Bishops, or would feign to have been; if those that make them or follow in them deny Salvation unto all that join not with them, and condemn all other Churches as being without Gods Covenant, and the Sacraments, as did the Donatists, and those do, who deny these things unto all Churches who have not Diocesan Bishops; if there be not a sufficient justifiable Cause pleaded for it, that those who make such a separation cannot abide in the Communion which they forsake, without wounding their own Consciences, and do give Evidences of their abiding in the Exercise of Love towards all the true Disciples of Christ, we are satisfied that we have a Rule infallibly directing us, to make a Judgment concerning it.

But we have fixed grounds whereon to Try, Examine, Judge and Condemne all Schismes that are justly so called, all such as those before mentioned. If Separations arise and proceed from Principles of false Doctrine and Errors, like those of the Novatians and Donatists; if they are occasioned by Ambition and desire of Preheminence, like those that fell out among the Bishops of those days, when their Parishes and claimes were not regulated by the Civil Power as now they are; If they do so from a Desire to impose Principles and Practises not warranted in the Scripture, on others, as it was with Tertullian; If for slight Reasons they rend and destroy that ⟨p. 321⟩Church state and order which themselves approve of, as it was with all the antient Schismaticks, who were Bishops, or would feign to have been; if those that make them or follow in them deny Salvation unto all that joyn not with them, and condemn all other Churches as being without Gods Covenant, and the Sacraments, as did the Donatists, and those do, who deny these things unto all Churches who have not Diocesan Bishops; if there be not a sufficient justifiable Cause pleaded for it, that those who make such a separation cannot abide in the Communion which they forsake, without wounding their own Consciences, and do give Evidences of their abiding in the Exercise of Love towards all the true Disciples of Christ, we are satisfied that we have a Rule infallibly directing us, to make a Judgment concerning it.