A review of the true nature of schism, with a vindication of the Congregational…A review of the true nature of schisme, with a vindication of the Congregationall…

And though I be reproved a new for my pains, I may offer ere long to the candid consideration of godly men, something that may provoke others of better abilities and more leisure, to endeavour the carrying on of so good a work. Proceeding to the consideration of the unity of this church, he takes notice of three things laid down by me, previously to what I was farther to assert; all which he grants to be true, but yet will not let them pass without his animadversions. The two first are that 1. a man may be a member of the Catholic invisible church, and 2 of the visible Catholic church, and yet not be joined to a particular Church. These, as I said, he owns to be true, but asks how I can reconcile this with what I said before, namely, that the members of the Catholic visible Church are initiated into the profession of the faith by Baptism; but where lies the difference? why saith he, Baptism according ⟨p. 134⟩to his principles is an ordinance of worship only to be enjoyed in a particular Church, whilst he will grant (what yet he doth deny, but will be forced to grant) that a minister is a minister to more then his own church, even to the Catholic Church, and may administer Baptism out of a particular church, as Phillip did to the Eunuch. A. How well this Author is acquainted with my principles, hath been already manifested; as to his present mistake I shall not complain, seeing that some occasion may be administered unto it, from an expression of mine, at least as it is printed, of which I shall speak afterwards; for the present he may be pleased to take notice, that I am so far from confining Baptism subjectively to a particular congregation, that I do not believe that any member of a particular church was ever regularly baptized: Baptism precedes admission into Church membership, as to a particular Church; the subject of it, is professing believers and their seed; as such they have right unto it, whither they be joined to any particular church or no; suitable to this judgment ⟨p. 135⟩hath been my constant and uninterrupted practise. I desire also to know, who told him that I deny a minister to be a minister to more then his own Church, or averred that he may perform ministerial duty only in and towards the members of his own congregation:

And though I be reproved a new for my pains, I may offer ere long to the candid consideration of godly men, something that may provoke others of better abilities and more leasure, to endeavour the carrying on of so good a work. Proceeding to the consideration of the unity of this church, he takes notice of three things laid down by me, previously to what I was farther to assert; all which he grants to be true, but yet will not let them passe without his animadversions. The two first are that 1. a man may be a member of the Catholick invisible church, and 2 of the visible Catholick church, and yet not be joyned to a particular Church. These, as I said, he ownes to be true, but askes how I can reconcile this with what I said before, namely, that the members of the Catholick visible Church are initiated into the profession of the faith by Baptisme; but where lies the difference? why saith he, Baptisme according