We beseech you therefore Brethren, that you would endeavour to keep the Unity of the spirit in the bond of peace; for there is one Body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your Calling; one Lord, one Faith, and one Baptisme; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
For our parts, we do here manifest our willingness, (as we have already said) to accommodate with you according to the Word, in a way of union; And (such of us as are Ministers,) to preach up, and to practise a mutual forbearance and toleration in all things, that may consist with the fundamentalls of Religion, with the power of Godlinesse, and with that peace which Christ hath established in his Church, but to make ruptures in the body of Christ, and to divide Church from Church, and to set up Church against Church, and to gather Churches out of true Churches: And because we differ in some things, therefore to hold Church-communion in Nothing; this we think hath no warrant out of the Word of God, and will introduce all manner of confusion in Churches and Families; and not only disturb, but in a little time destroy the power of Godlinesse, purity of Religion, peace of Christians, and set open a wide gap to bring in Atheisme, Popery, Heresie, and all manner of wickednesse: We will therefore conclude with that description that Doctor Ames gives of the sinfulnesse and mischievousnesse of Schisme, lib. 5. cap. 12.[175]
Schisme, properly so called, is a most grievous sin;
1. Because it is against charity towards our Neighbour, &c.
2. Because it is against the Edification of him who makes the separation, in that he deprives himself Communion in spirituall good.
3. Because it is against the honour of Christ, in that, at much as in it lyeth, it takes away the Unity of his mysticall body.
4. It makes way unto Heresie, and separation from Christ. And therefore it is a sin by all good men to be abhorred.
Second sort of Separatists.
2. The second sort are such, as separate from our Churches, as false Churches; And from our Ministry, as Antichristian: and differ from us not only in Discipline, but in Doctrine also. We purpose not to undertake a particular confutation of your Errours.