A85312:169
Of schism. Parochial congregations in England, and ordination
Of schism. Parochial congregations in England, and ordination by imposition of hands. Wherein Dr. Owen's discovery of the true nature of schism is briefly and friendly examined, together with Mr. Noyes of New England his arguments against imposition of hands in ordination. / By Giles Firmin, sometime of new England, now pastor of the Church at Shalford in Essex.
London: printed by T.C. for Nathanael Webb, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 1 › Chapter 2: Concerning the Parochial Congregations in England.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
More Arguments I could give [as from the nullity of all the Ordinances which else must follow. Also, I wonder whether our congregational Ministers were converted in Parochial, or congregational Churches.] But I forbear.
Hence then that congregational brethren may associate with the classical, to me there is no question, though my practice is something different from the classical brethren; yet what they allow is so candid, that I am rather thankful to them that they are so willing to associate with me.
That we way hold communion with a Church so far as we are entangled in no sin, I think was never denied; but so may we with the classical brethren: For what though they baptize all, and all of them do not [though some do, and more endeavour it] bring their people to an explicit engagement; yet they desire us not to have communion with all their members, but with their complete members, i. e. those whom they admit to all Ordinances; and I am sure those, according to the rules drawn up, would have gone for good Church-members in the Apostles ⟨p. 51⟩days, and, I think, should now; so that we are called to associate only with those who are as good members as our own.
That we way hold communion with a Church so far as we are intangled in no sin, I think was never denied; but so may we with the classical brethren: For what though they baptize all, and all of them do not [though some do, and more endeavour it] bring their people to an explicite engagement; yet they desire us not to have communion with all their members, but with their compleat members, i. e. those whom they admit to all Ordinances; and I am sure those, according to the rules drawn up, would have gone for good Church-members in the Apostles ⟨p. 51⟩