Toleration not to be abused by the Independents by a lover of truth and peace. Fullwood, Francis, d. 1693. 1672 Approx. 39 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 16 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A40722 Wing F2518 ESTC R35474 15342574 ocm 15342574 103428 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A40722) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 103428) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1188:45) Toleration not to be abused by the Independents by a lover of truth and peace. Fullwood, Francis, d. 1693. [2], 31 p. Printed for John Martyn and are to be sold by Abisha Brocas bookseller in Exeter, London : 1672. Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library, New York. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Religious tolerance -- Church of England. Dissenters, Religious -- England. Schism. 2007-01 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-01 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2008-02 John Pas Sampled and proofread 2008-02 John Pas Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion TOLERATION Not to be ABUSED By the Independents . By a Lover of Truth and Peace . LONDON , Printed for John Martyn , and are to be Sold by Abisha Brocas , Bookseller in Exeter , 1672. TOLERATION Not to be abused by the Independents . THE following Discourse shall consist of Four particulars . First , The lawfulness of Communicating with our Churches by the Confessions and Arguments of the Congregational Divines . 2. The same proved by demonstrating the Apostolical Churches more vitiated than Ours , from whom a Separation is made by the Independents ; and yet a Separation from those Primitive Churches , utterly discountenanced by the Apostles . 3. The same Proposition proved by demonstrating that we have not given them the like , or any just Cause , as the Church of Rome gave them and us . Which is the first particular to be proved . Secondly , I shall shew the sinfulness of erecting Altar against Altar , of gathering Churches out of Churches . Thirdly , That the Independents are averse in their Principles to Toleration as well as the Presbyterians , and so equally obliged not to abuse the present gracious Indulgence . Fourthly , I shall shew , that by His Majesties late Declaration the Church of England is still established as the Basis , and the bare suspension of the poenal Laws , doth indeed take off the Obligation , upon the account of wrath , that lay before upon Dissenters ; but does not cancel the Obligation of Conscience , by which the Independents , and all Indulged parties , are still to avoid all Causless and groundless Separations from this Best of Reformed Churches . First , The Lawfulness of Communicating with our Churches , by the Arguments and Concessions even of the Independents themselves . Our Parochial Churches are owned to have the Essentials of true Churches by all sober Congregational men : ( For there is the pure Word of GOD Preached , the true Sacraments Administred , and an implicite Covenant between Pastor and People in joyning together . ) All that is pleaded is Corruption and Defect in the outward Exercise and Administration of Church Order , and Discipline . Now that it is Lawful ( supposing , but not granting this bar lies against the Church of England ) to joyn with Churches so defective and corrupt , is not only acknowledged , but fully proved by Reverend Mr. Norton , of the Congregational way in his Answer to Apolsius ( as Dr. Stilling fleet in his Irenicum quotes it to the present purpose ) which I desire the Brethren to consider , whom it chiefly concerns , and to lay seriously to their hearts : and , without a reply to his Arguments , they cannot justifie their Separation from us . 1. A Believer may Lawfully joyn in Communion with such a Church , where he cannot enjoy all the Ordinancies of GOD , as in the Jewish Church , in our Saviour's time , which refused the Gospel of Christ , and the Baptisme of John , and yet our Saviour commands us to hear the Scribes and Pharisees ( sitting in Moses's Chair ; ) which hearing implies Conjunctionem Ecclesiae Judaicae , A joyning with the Jewish Church . So with Churches rejecting an Article of Faith ; as the Church of Corinth , the Doctrine of the Resurrection ; the Churches of Galatia rejecting the Doctrine of Justification by Faith : yet the Apostle no where requires , on that account , a Separation from them . 2. A Believer may Lawfully joyn in Communion with such a Church , in which some Corruption is tolerated in the Worship of GOD , without Reformation ; as the Offering upon High places , from Solomon to Hezekiah , in the Church of Judah ; the observation of Circumcision and the Law Ceremonial in the Churches of Galatia . 3. A Believer may Lawfully joyn himself in Communion with such a Church , in which such are admitted to Sacraments who give no evident signs of Grace , but seem to be Lovers of the World ; this he proves , because it is every mans Duty to Examine himself , and anothers sin hurts not me , and so is no argument against my Duty . And besides , by mens coming unworthily , Non polluitur Communio , licet minuitur Consolatio , The Communion is not defiled , though the comfort of it be diminished : This he proves also from the Church of Corinth , amongst whom were many scandalous that had not Repented , 2 Cor. 12. 20 , &c. and in the Church of the Jews , which lay under great Corruptions when Christ and His Apostles communicated with it . 4. Although a Believer joyns with such a Church , he is not therefore bound with the Guilt , nor defiled with the pollutions of others that Communicate . It is his Duty incumbent , and in doing his Duty , he contracts no Guilt upon himself . 5. A Believer which hath joyned himself to such a Church is not bound to withdraw and seperate under pain of Guilt if he does it not : for to be lawful to joyn , and unlawful to continue the Communion implies a contradiction ; for the first speaks it to be a Church , and the second to be no Church ; and so it is not Lawful to seperate from a Church true , as to Essentials ( and such the Independents own in their Apologetical Narration , our Parochial Churches ) though guilty of Corruptions ; for the ground of Communicating is its being a Church , not a corrupt or defective Church . And that men are not guilty by partaking with those that are guilty of Corruptions in a Church , appears from the Church of the Jews in the case of Ely's Sons , and the Christian Churches of Asia and Corinth ; where we read of many Corruptions by S. Paul reproved , but no Mandate to separate , which had certainly by the Holy Ghost been given , and S. Paul would not have omitted , had it been a sin to communicate while those Corruptions were in the Churches of Asia and Corinth . Thus far their own Reverend Norton . Now I desire these Congregational Leaders , who gather Churches out of our Churches , to reply to this Learned Divine of their own perswasion , or to consider what Answer is to be given to the searcher of all Hearts , for resisting that light of Conviction that shines in upon their Consciences . Again , not granting but supposing only ; that in this Church from which these separate , Church-Discipline were neglected , Worship defiled , Manners corrupted , or Tyranny exercised : suppose we grant all this , which we need not , this will not justifie a Separation from the Church of England . My reason is , because there were greater Corruptions in Doctrine , Discipline , and Worship ( and no Separations countenanced by the Apostles ) in the first Apostolical Christian Churches , then in Ours , or any other Reformed Churches , from whom a Separation is made in these times . As for instance ; to begin with Doctrine ; In what Church of ours is the Resurrection of the Dead denyed , an Article of that importance that all our Christianity , in effect , depends upon it ? It was denyed by many in the Church of Corinth . In what Churches of ours is the Doctrine of Justification by the Law , or any Doctrine so destructive of the Merit of Christ , generally maintained , as in the Galatian Churches ? Again , for Worship ; Do ours partake of the Lord's Table and the Table of Devils , as among the Corinthians ? Are our Ecclesiastical Assemblies so confused , that whosoever comes in must presently take us for Mad ? Do ours come to the Communion drunk , as at Corinth ? Then for Manners , and Life ; We acknowledge our selves heynous Offendors ( which , I suppose , those that call themselves the Saints , and separate from us Publicans ) do ( unless frantick ) confess true of themselves : But what then ? have we worse than Incest , Fornication , Covetousness , Malice , Contentions unrepented of , as is the Church of Corinth ? Or , biting and devouring one another , permitters of Idolaters , boasters of Gifts , as in the Church of Galatia ? As touching neglect of Discipline ; First in the Apostles own company , the Ministers that should exercise Discipline , they all sought there own , and none the things of J●sus Christ ; and the grossest Vices winked 〈…〉 mented , as we saw before in the Church of Corinth ; and should have been so still , had not the Apostle been Living , and exciting them to their Duty . Lastly , concerning Tyranny ; Ye see what Oppression the false Apostles used , 2 Cor. 11. 20. Ye suffer , saith the Apostle , if a man take of you , if a man bring you into bondage , if a man devour you , if a man exalt himself , &c. by which words he toucheth the Tyranny , though out of malice against the Apostle , willingly submitted to , by the Church of Corinth : and we know that Dyotrephes exercised his Government with such Insolency , that he cast out whom he would , admitted whom he would , opposed S. John himself ; yet no news of Separation . Now let these men consider , that separate from us , the Apostolical Church was a Virgin newly espoused to Christ , in the midst of the Heathen , under the Rod of Persecution , the great Apostle then living , and yet vitiated more then the Churches that these depart from ; and yet the then Separatists branded with the Characters of Schisme and Sedition by the Blessed Apostles . And here I desire the men of this way seriously to consider , that Separation being discountenanced , from Churches more vitiated than ours , by the Holy Apostles ; how these men , owning our Parochial Churches true as to Essentials , can ever justifie their Separation from us ? It would certainly be duly weighed by such as desire to appear tender Consciences , and so capable of a right in the present gracious Indulgence . That they do so acknowledge our Parochial Churches , their Apologetical Narration declares sufficiently in these following words ; We have alwaies profest ( and that in these times , wherein the Churches of England were most , either actually overspread with defilements , or in the greatest danger thereof ) that we both did , and would hold Communion with them , as true Churches of Christ ; and that our Parochial Churches were the very Body of Christ : which is in effect to approve and forsake at the same time , and gives occasion , too great , of applying a Sentence in S. Austin against Parmenian ( Lib. 1. cap. 8. against these Dissenters : ) Et adversum nos loquuntur , & nobiscum loquuntur , & cum eos obmutescere compellat veritas , silere non permittit iniquitas : They speak against us , and they speak for us ; and when Truth constrains them silence , their Iniquity will not let them hold their peace . There are three things that I would humbly offer to all sober men of the Congregational perswasion ; and I beseech them to consider them seriously , as from one that equally wisheth their Salvation with his own . 1. That they would cautiously distinguish between corruptions in Doctrine , and corruptions in the practice of a Church . 2. That they would Conscientiously distinguish between corruptions , whether in Doctrine or Practice , profest and avowed by a Church , and required as the absolute conditions of Communion from all its members ; and corruptions only crept in and meerly tolerated in a Church , and not any way required as the conditions of 3. To distinguish carefully between Non-communicating as to the abuses of a Church , and a positive and total Separation from a 〈◊〉 as it is a Church . These three ( the second 〈…〉 duly weighed and considered , would 〈…〉 a period to their Separation 〈…〉 of England ; or tend at least to 〈…〉 ening of the Breach too sadly occasioned , for want of a due reflection upon the Premisses aforesaid . Again , We of the Church of England have not given them the like , or any just cause of Separating , as the Church of Rome gave them and us : For where do we urge any Doctrines as Articles of Faith , which we offer not to a tryal by Scripture , and the Four first General Councils , which all Christians reverence ( and were Anciently honoured next to the Four Gospels : ) and if the Church should teach any other Propositions , she protests against their being Articles of Faith and of Necessity to Salvation , and for this reason imposeth not Her ●●●IX , Articles , as Articles of Faith , but of Peace and Communion : nor does the Church of England censure other Churches for their different Confessions , but allows them the liberty she her self takes , to establish more or less conditions of Communion , as the Governours of the Church shall deem most expedient for Vnity and Peace . She only requires of such as are admitted to any Office or Employment in the Church , to subscribe to her Articles as certain Theological Verityes not repugnant to GOD's Word , particularly culled out and selected to be taught , and maintained within her Communion , as highly conducive to the preservation of Truth , and prevention of Schisme . And for this reason She passes no other censure upon the Impugners of her Articles , then against the Impugners of Her Government , Liturgy , and Rites ; because all intended by her for the same end , The avoiding of all Disorders , and Confusions . But as for the absolute Articles of the Church of England , they were not of Her own Inventing , but such as She found established in the best Ages of the Church , nearest the Primitive and Apostolical simplicity : Here She fixeth the bounds of Her Faith , to prevent the danger of endless Additions , and Innovations . And because in smaller matters somewhat may escape the greatest caution and prudence , She hath reserved Just power to her self to reform what is really amiss , and finds so abused , that the use of them cannot stand with Piety and Holiness ; allowing the same Liberty to all her Sister Churches , and all Church Governours within the sphere of their respective Jurisdictions . This is the true state of the Reformation of this Church , as hath been apparently evidenced by her Regular Sons against all Opposers . Now let the Independents consider , whether this be not ( though a brief ) yet a True account of the Moderation and Prudence of this Church ; and then let them reflect at the same time upon the second especially , of the Three aforesaid Propositions : and upon the whole examine their Tender Consciences , whether it does not Justifie our Separation from the Romanists , and at the same time prove them guilty by departing from us . We both agree , that where any Church is guilty of Corruptions in Doctrine and practice , which it owns and requires as absolute conditions of Her Communion , there to Separate is no Schisme , but Lawful and Convenient . Let them make the Church of England appear thus guilty they are acquitted : If they cannot prove it as they have not done as yet ( and doubtless they have Zeal enough to set them forward , if it could be demonstrated ) what hinders their Return to the Church of England , unless the Conscience , which they call Tender , be sullen and obstinate ? Not to prove any thing that justifies a Separation against the Church which they forsake , and yet continue to keep up their Altars against it , is not so much allyed to tenderness of Conscience , as to hardness of Heart , uncapable of being reclaimed by the greatest and most generous condescensions in the World. So much of the First particular , The Lawfulness of Communicating with our Parochial Churches , from the Arguments and Concessions of the Independents themselves ; from the Primitive Apostolical Churches more vitiated than Ours , and yet all manner of Separation discountenanced by the Apostles , and we not having given the Independents any just cause as the Church of Rome gave them and us . That is the first Proposition I engaged to defend , The Lawfulness of communicating with our Churches . Secondly , I am to shew the sinfulness and danger of erecting Altar against Altar , and gathering Churches out of our Churches : The Sin is the sin of Schisme , severely branded by Ancient Fathers and Orthodox Councils ( as well as in the Apostolical Writings ) as the heighth of Pride and Wickedness . That the Independents are guilty of this Sin is clearly deducible from what I have said already ; From their own Arguments , and Concessions ; from the Instances of the Apostolical and Primitive Churches , more vitiated than Ours , yet Separation discountenanced by the Apostles ; and by a comparison between our withdrawing from Rome , and their Separation from us . These things already proved , speaks them Causlesly to Separate from us ; and that causless Separation speaks them Schismaticks . They themselves allow our Parochial Churches True , as to Essentials ; and , what if we suppose spots and pollutions , as to the outward Administration of Order and Discipline ; this , if we should grant them , onely infers a lawful desire and endeavour of Reformation , but it warrants no Schismatical Separation ; for no Corruptions in a Church can give occasion , or allowance of going out of it , but such as strike at the Foundation of Christian Doctrine and Worship ; which , setting Calumny and railing aside ( which we are not obliged to take for Reason and Argument ) they never yet attempted to prove against the Church of England , so far they are inexcusable before GOD , and so far from appearing Men of tender Consciences to the World. Where are those Corruptions in Doctrine or Practice , which the Church of England doth Impose upon her Members , as the absolute Conditions of Her Communion . Let them lay aside Wrath and Darkness , and give us a pregnant Demonstration ; or like Men of Candour and Ingenuity plead Guilty , and Return . Let them in short prove these two things : 1. That our Episcopal Ordination and Jurisdiction , Our mixt Communion , Our Rites of Order imposed , not out of any Necessity , but Vniformity and Peace , and some other things by them inveighed against , to be indeed Superstitious , and ( as they call them ) . Antichristian Abominations . When that difficult Task is over ( if it can be ever accomplished ) let them prove that we urge Disputable things , or known Errours with such severity , as the Church of Rome does Purgatory , Indulgences , Supererogation , and other notorious palbable Errours ; for which , justly condemned by the Reformed Churches . The very Cock of the Congregation is here nonplust ( the most daring of all their Vndertakers ) unless you will take Noise , and Clamour , and Confidence for Demonstrations . Thirdly , The Independents are equally Enemies to Toleration with the Presbyterians ; and from the same very Principles , and by consequence equally obliged not to use ( however not to abuse ) the Gracious Indulgence . Nothing in Conjunction with , or addition to , what is prescribed in the Word of GOD ( as to Worship , and Government ) is to be admitted or Tolerated . Upon this Principle the Independents in particular ( as well as Non-conformists in general , ) for so their greatest and most forward Champion tells us , They do , and will adhere to , and stand upon as to the Differences , between them and us . The plain meaning of which , applyed to the Church of England , is briefly this , That the Independent way of Worship , and Government , is only prescribed in the Word of GOD ; and Ours not , but repugnant : And by this Principle they exclude as well their Brethren that lent them the Principle , as well as the Inferiour Sectarists , and are at defiance with them , as well as the Church of England ; for Independency being only prescribed in the Word by this Principle . if they will adhere to it , no other way can be Indulged or admitted . With these Men ( as well as the Disciplinarians ) there is but One only true way of Worship and Government prescribed in the Word . Nothing , secondly , that is unlawful may be Tolerated by the Civil Magistrate ; and , nothing is lawful but what is prescribed in the Word ( and you may be confident , that is the Independent way of Worship and Government . ) These three things resolved , whence should Toleration proceed , or an Indulgence be expected from the Independents to differing perswasions , unless he playes fast and loose , and as he pleaseth , owns and renounceth the Jus divinum of Independency in the same Oracles . Every Sect ( the Independent especially ) allows no Worship , but their own way established in the Word . This is not only pleaded against the Church of England , but every Faction bandyes against every Faction for the Divine Right . The Presbyterian Discipline is the only Scepter of JESVS CHRIST for all Churches Government to the End of the World : He can neither Indulge himself , nor accept an Indulgence where other Parties are not excluded . The Independent allows only his own Way of Worship , and excludes all Dissenters from Worshipping GOD aright ; and from the beauty and purity of Gospel Ordinances ; which is a Principle Sir John Presbyter lent him : And how can an Indulgence hence proceed ? By this Principle the Presbyterian first assaulted the Church of England . By the same Principle the Congregational Hector takes Sir John to task , and beats him out of the field : By the same the Anabaptist attempted the Independent ; and all the under - Sects the Anabaptists : And so if they had crumbled into a thousand sub-divisions , still as every Sect gathers strength enough , he persecutes all Opposers . And , How should the Independent be more merciful than the Presbyterian , or any other Sect , whose Enmity to Toleration doth equally arise from the same common Principle of the Divine Right , only of their own way of Worship and Government , from which all the Sects are excluded , as well as the Church of England ? There is One only way of Worshipping GOD aright , and that way is the Independent way of Worship . Where is Toleration then ? It is excluded . By what Law ? By Divine Right : And so Every plant that my Father hath not planted must be rooted out ; and so only Independency is to be Tolerated , unless Kings and Princes who Rule for GOD , may Indulge men in an Open violation of the Law of GOD ? And if you look a little backwards , it may admit a Dispute , Whether the Scepter of JESUS CHRIST were more an Iron Rod under the Kirk , or the tender hearted Tryers ? It may indeed sometimes consist with Carnal prudence ( supposing the Independents to have power in their hands ) to connive at , and Indulge the Lesser Factions , the better to hold out the Flag of Defiance against the Royalists , and the Presbyterians their most considerable Competitors . Or they may ( as the Vsurpers tender-Conscien'd Army once did ) offer the taking away even the Poenal Laws from the very Papists , to collogue with Forraign Princes , and so have the greater security in their Villanous Designs against the King , and the Church ; but this is a State Juggle for the advancement of the Good Old Cause : But then as soon as the fear is over from abroad , then they spared nothing that Sacriledge could devour . And now , Can any Man , that looks back upon Independent mercy and forbearance , believe that Men of such Principles and practices ( who are now pleased that Episcopacy is established , and Poenal Laws removed from Papists , only because Indulged themselves ) would Tolerate either Popery or Episcopacy if they had Power in their hands , and not rather Lord it with the Insolence of Vsurpers ? Credat Judaeus Apella , non Ego . So that as a late Treatise demonstrates , the Presbyterian hath no cause of joy , because others are Indulged as well as himself ; whereas his Doctors , Elders , and Deacons are the perpetual Scepter of CHRIST to the end of the World for all Churches Government ; and therefore , Down with the Colours of the Dragon ; advance the Standard of CHRIST . The Independents have no cause of Joy , because the Church of England , and the Presbyterian Limb too , of the Antichristian Leviathan , are included , as well as the rest of the Parties among us : His Way being only laid down in the WORD , and all others repugnant to the Holy Scriptures . Yet they take the advantage , both out of a hatred to a third Party , the Church of England , and the next thing is to fight one with another for the Government : and then the only Scepter of Christ is the Conquerours worship ; the longest Sword is the Divine Right ; the Pike and Gun declare the Cause of GOD ; and infallible Artillery decides all the Controversies relating to the Gospel Truth . And thus the Presbyterian ( who thought to have erected his Discipline upon the sad Eclipse of the Church of England ) was powerfully baffled and confuted , by such Arguments as the Independent Man of War carryed in his Snapsack . Do not the Independents , when most cool and moderate , look upon all other Churches and People , as all Revolters from the purity and beauty of Gospel-Ordinances , introducers of Will-Worship and Superstition , instead of Disciples of the Lord JESVS ; not allowing any Dissenters the least share or degree of Wisdom , or Godliness ? And men of such Principles of this forehead and complexion , must needs carry tender bowels to Men of differing Perswasions . Certainly , unless where the rules and maximes of carnal Policy interpose and plead for mercy to Dissenters , their Clemency is the same with the Presbyterian , who first lent him the Principle , of not admitting any thing not expresly delivered in the Sacred Scriptures : by which Principle they are engaged in a War with one another , as well as against their common Antagonists . So that the Tables are now turned . It is not the Question , whether all Partyes may be Tolerated ; but , whether Independents only : for there is but One true way of Worship , and that is Theirs . Theirs only hath the Divinum Jus , and Princes may not Indulge Men in an open violation of Scripture Precepts , and Directions . And so every Sect is engaged to root out all the rest , as Enemies to the Scepter of the Lord JESVS . Fourthly , The Execution of the Poenal Laws being suspended , by the late Declaration in Favour of Dissenters , does only take off the Obligation , upon the account of Wrath , to Obedience ; but the Conscience is still obliged , to avoid all causless and groundless Separations from our Churches . This will be manifest enough to any one that seriously reads the Declaration it self , and a late Treatise , Toleration not to be Abused , which will extend as well to the Independents as the Presbyterians , whose aversion to Toleration is built upon the same common Principle , the Divine Right of their one onely way of Worship and Government , in the Sacred Oracles ; and so I refer them to that part of the Discourse before mentioned , That they are obliged ( as before the Declaration ) to avoid all groundless Separations . For the Church of England is , as before , established as the Basis , and so the Obligation of Conscience still Obligatory upon all the Indulged Parties to avoid Schismes , and all causless departure from us . The Obligation upon the account of Wrath is removed indeed ; but if they would appear tender Consciences to the World , the King's suspension of the Punishment should make them the more Obedient for Conscience sake ; and a Gracious Indulgence rather abate , than heighten their Opposition against the Church of England , still established . I shall now conclude all , by desiring them to consider , what they themselves acknowledge in the Declaration of the Faith and Order of the Congregational Churches , in Chap. 26. Of the Church , &c. The purest Churches under Heaven are subject both to Mixture and Error . And in their Institution of Churches ; Persons that are joyned in Church-fellowship , ought not lightly to withdraw themselves from the Communion of the Church , to which they are so joyned . To these two let them add the Four particulars in this Discourse mentioned : and upon the result of all consider , Whether Ambition and Pride , rather then a Conscientious tenderness keep not up their departure from , and opposition to the Church of England . I am not as this Publican , Come not near me , for I am holier then thou . An over-valluing of our own worth , and a Pharisaical contempt of others , is the usual rise of Schisme ; for only by Pride cometh Contention ; so the best of Kings and Preachers . Thus the Valentinians looked on themselves as the only spiritual Men. The Pharisees the only Separati , separate Persons . The Sadducees , Justi , the only Righteous . The Novatians , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the only Puritans : And none Men of Knowledge but the Gnosticks , and the acute Tertullian , when Montanist . All others were Psysici , and he was come to his Nos spirituales . And if ( out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh ) spiritual Pride is the original of your Schisme . For you only are GOD's Israel , his Elect and precious ones . You only have Communion with GOD in pure Ordinance ▪ All the World faln short of GOD's Truth , but your selves : And none is Orthodox out of the Pale of your own Church . Not only Pap●sts , Prelatists and Arminians , but even your dear Brethren , the Presbyterians , are Limbs of the Antichristian Leviathan . All revolted from the Lord JESUS , and to be treated as members of the Whore , whom the Saints hate , and shall make desolate and naked , eat her flesh , and drink her bloud . This is the Canting Dialect of your Independent Leaders . To Conclude . If it be not Ambition , but Conscience ; Let it so appear by your Charity to Dissenters , by a serious and impartial Enquiry into the Grounds upon which you separate from us , without prejudice or passion ; and do not so far Idolize a Sect , or an Opinion , as to prefer it before the Peace and Settlement of a Church , and Nation . FINIS .