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

3. It cannot be said, that the Churches of the Independents were gathered out of Presbyterian Churches, for the Presbyterian Government was never here established; and each Party took Liberty to reform themselves according ⟨p. 347⟩according to their principles, wherein there was some difference.

4. Had the Presbyterian Government been settled at the Kings Restoration, by the Encouragement and Protection of the Practise of it, without a rigorous Imposition of every thing supposed by any to belong thereunto, or a mixture of Humane Constitutions, if there had any Appearance of a Schism or Separation continued between the Parties, I do Judge they would have been both to blame. For as it cannot be expected that all Churches and all Persons in them, should agree in all Principles and Practises belonging unto Church Order, nor was it so in the days of the Apostles, nor ever since among any true Churches of Christ; so all the Fundamental Principles of Church Communion, would have been so fixed and agreed upon between them, and all offences in Worship so removed, as that it would have been a matter of no great Art absolutely to unite them, or to maintain a firm Communion among them, no more then in the days of the Apostles, and the Primitive times, in Reference to the differences that were among Churches in those days. For they allowed distinct Communion upon distinct Apprehensions of things belonging unto Church Order or Worship, all keeping the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace. If it shall be asked then, why did they not formerly agree in the Assembly? I Answer, (1.) I was none of them, and cannot tell. (2.) They did agree in my Judgment well enough, if they could have thought so; and farther I am not concerned in the Difference.

4. Had the Presbyterian Government been settled at the Kings Restauration, by the Encouragement and Protection of the Practise of it, without a rigorous Imposition of every thing supposed by any to belong thereunto, or a mixture of Humane Constitutions, if there had any Appearance of a Schisme or Separation continued between the Parties, I do Judge they would have been both to blame. For as it cannot be expected that all Churches and all Persons in them, should agree in all Principles and Practises belonging unto Church Order, nor was it so in the dayes of the Apostles, nor ever since among any true Churches of Christ; so all the Fundamental Principles of Church Communion, would have been so fixed and agreed upon between them, and all offences in Worship so removed, as that it would have been a matter of no great Art absolutely to unite them, or to maintain a firm Communion among them, no more then in the dayes of the Apostles, and the Primitive times, in Reference to the differences that were among Churches in those dayes. For they allowed distinct Communion upon distinct Apprehensions of things belonging unto Church Order or Worship, all keeping the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace. If it shall be asked then, why did they not formerly agree in the Assemby? I Answer, (1.) I was none of them, and cannot tell. (2.) They did agree in my Judgment well enough, if they could have thought so; and farther I am not concern'd in the Difference.