TO CHAP. XXII.
pp. 109–11428 passages
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.
TO CHAP. XXII.
The second offence which the Examiner took at our neglect of the Churches of the separation, Was the reproach of himself and others at Salem, for their separation.
THe second offence which the Examiner tooke at our neglect of the Churches of the separation, Was the reproach of himselfe and others at Salem, for their separation.
To which I answered in my Letter, That I knew no man who reproached Salem for their separation, nor did I believe, that they did separate. Howsoever, if any did reproach them for it, I did think it a sin meet to be Censured, but not with so deep a Censure, as to excommunicate all the Churches, or to separate from them, before it doth appear, that they do tolerate their members in such their causeless reproachings. The errors of men are to be contended against, not with reproaches, but with the sword of the Spirit. But on the other side, the failings of the Churches are not forthwith to be healed by separation. It is not Chirurgery, but Butchery, to heal every sore in a member, with no other but Abscission from the body.
To which I answered in my Letter, That I knew no man who reproached Salem for their separation, nor did I beleeve, that they did separate. Howsoever, if any did reproach them for it, I did thinke it a sinne meete to be Censured, but not with so deepe a Censure, as to excommunicate all the Churches, or to separate from them, before it doth appeare, that they doe tolerate their members in such their causlesse reproachings. The errors of men are to be contended against, not with reproaches, but with the sword of the Spirit. But on the other side, the failings of the Churches are not forthwith to be healed by separation. It is not Chirurgery, but Butchery, to heale every sore in a member, with no other but Abscission from the body.