A Vindication of the Presbyteriall-Government and Ministry

by Ministers and Elders of the London Provinciall Assembly

1. Such as separate from our Churches.

2. Such as continue still with us, but do not joyn in the Sacrament.

The first of these admit of so many divisions, and subdivisions, and are so contrary not only to us, but one to another, as that we are hardly able to rank them into order; and yet for method sake, we will divide them into two sorts:

1. Such as separate from us, only for matter of Government.

2. Such as separate from us, for matter of doctrine also.

1. Such as separate from us, only for matter of Government. To these we have spoken already in our Vindication; We now think fit to add one thing more;

And that is, To beseech and intreat you, as Brethren, to consider, what a sin it is, to separate from Churches, which you your selves acknowledg to be true Churches of Jesus Christ; and that, while they are endeavouring more and more after a reformation according to the Word; and to set up Churches of another constitution; Is not this to set up Church against Church? and as the Ancients were wont to express it, Altar against Altar? And whereas you should rather joyn with us, and put to your helping hand to reform the Nation, and to bring our Churches into the order of the Gospel; do you not rather weaken our hands, by dividing from us, and dividing of us; and thereby obstructing and hindering the glorious work of Reformation? For what with the Prelatical on the one hand, that will not come up to a Scripture-Reformation; and with you on the other, that will not joyn with us whilest we are endeavouring after a Scripture-Reformation, The building of Gods house ceaseth, in most parts of the Kingdome; and instead of a Reformation, we see nothing but deformation and desolation. If we be the Church of Christ, and Christ holdeth communion with us, Why do you separate from us? If we be of the body of Christ, do not they that separate from the body, separate from the head also? We are loath to speak any thing, that may offend you; yet we intreat you to consider, That if the Apostle calls those divisions of the Church of Corinth, wherein Christians did not separate into divers formed Congregations of several communion in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, Schismes, 1 Cor. 1.10. May not your secession from us, and profession that you cannot joyn with Us as members, and setting up Congregations of another communion be more properly called schisme? The Greek word for Schism signifies rending; and sure it is, that you rend your selves from Us, and not, as from Churches the same rule, but as Churches differing in the rule, with a dislike of Us, and a protestation, that You cannot joyn with Us as fixed members without sin; You hear Us preach, not as persons in Office, but as gifted men only; and some of you refuse to hear us preach at all: You renounce all Church communion with us as members; and not only so, but you invite our people from Us, by telling them, That they cannot continue with us without sin: You gather Churches out of our Churches, and You set up Churches in an opposite way to our Churches; and all this you do voluntarily, (not separated, but separating, non fugati, sed fugitivi) and unwarrantably, not having any sufficient cause for it; and notwithstanding all this, yet you acknowledge Us to be the true Churches of Jesus Christ, and Churches with which Christ holds communion. May we not therefore most justly charge you as guilty in making a Schism in the Body of Christ?

We are far from thinking, that every difference in Judgment, or every separation from a Church, maketh a Schism; for it is not the Separation, but the Cause, that makes the Schismatick. The Godly-learned say, [163]That every unjust, and rash separation from a true Church, (that is, when there is no just cause, or at least no sufficient cause of the separation) is a schism. And that there is [164]a negative and positive schism, the former is, when men do peaceably and quietly draw from communion with a Church, not making a head against that Church from which they are departed: the other is, when persons so withdrawing, do consociate & draw themselves into a distinct and opposite Bodie, seting up a Church against a Church (as you do;) which Camero cals A schism by way of eminencie, & further tels us, that there are [165]four causes that make a separation from a Church, lawful.

1. When they that separate, are grievously and intollerably persecuted.

2. When the Church they separate from, is heretical.