A trial of the new-church way in New-England and in old ... by that…A tryall of the nevv-church vvay in New-England and in old ... by that…

Thus the Epistle wherein the same distinction of separation is noted: but how truly, let the indifferent judge. If none must be counted Separatists, but such as have pleaded against the book of Common prayer as unlawful, because offered up in a false Church, &c. then are there none such in the world, that we have known or heard of: for it is apparent they cast us off as no Churches of Christ, because our Service is a humane devise, will-worship, Idolatry; And not on the contrary, that our Service is will-worship, or Idolatry, because our Churches are false Churches. Against all Communion with us they plead, because we are a false Church, but against our stinted Liturgy they argue not in that manner.

Thus the Epistle wherein the same distinction of separation is noted: but how truly, let the indifferent judge. If none must be counted Separatists, but such as have pleaded against the booke of Common prayer as unlawfull, because offered up in a false Church, &c. then are there none such in the world, that we have knowne or heard of: for it is apparent they cast us off as no Churches of Christ, because our Service is a humane devise, will-worship, Idolatry; And not on the contrary, that our Service is will-worship, or Idolatry, because our Churches are false Churches. Against all Communion with us they plead, because we are a false Church, but against our stinted Liturgie they argue not in that manner.

The grounds on which that Author builds (which he saith are common to all, that plead for the purity of Gods ordinances) are one and the same with the grounds of the Separatists, shafts taken out of the same quiver and peculiar to them, some few brethren only excepted, who of late have looked towards that opinion. See how affection will transport. Those reasons shall be common to all that plead for the purity of Christs Ordinances, which were never taken to be sound and true, either by the reformed Churches abroad, or by the godly Brethren at home, whether now at rest with the Lord, or for the present living, or yet by the most of the brethren among whom they live, and with whom they hold society, or by any minister or Society which did hold the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace for the space of this 1400 years and upwards, by your own confession, unless within these few days, and that by a few only. If this be not to strengthen the hands of the Separatists, or at least, to lay blocks of offence in their way, what is? As yet we think most of them that have separated, are not so far gone, as to condemn all our Assemblies as no Churches of Christ, but we judge they have proceeded further then Christ the Lord and Saviour of his Church hath given them commission or allowance, that the grounds whereon they build are unsound, and such as make way for further danger, if the Lord prevent not. And that the reasons mentioned in the letters are the proper grounds of Separatists, and not common to all them that seek the purity of religion, for they are not approved by your selves: and if all this tend not to turn them who halt, out of the right way, we heartily entreat you to consider.