A iustification of separation from the Church of England Against Mr Richard Bernard his invective, intituled; The separatists schisme. By Iohn Robinson.

Mr B. 2. obiection, is, (which he also makes the 4. head of his* 1.1 division) that there is no proportion betwixt the persons here menti∣oned, to be separated from, being infidels, and such as were no members of the Church, and Gentiles, that had enterteyned no profession of Christ, on the one side: and the members of the Church on the other side: and that the consequence followes not from infidels, Heathens, Pagans, I∣dolaters, led by the Divell, to Christians professing Christ, though in life not answerable to their profession.

Even now you justified separation from Papists by this scripture:* 1.2 and here you restreyn it vnto Infidels, and Gentiles, that had not enterteyned any profession of Christ: as though Papists were infi∣dels, or without all profession of Christ, which is contrary both to truth, and to your own expresse affirmation * 1.3 every where.

But my answer is, that howsoever infidelity, and Idolatry be two greivous sinnes, and which do principally separate those which continue in them, from God, & his Church, yet not they alone, but any other transgressions as well as they, obstinately stood in, do rayse this vvall of separation: as is manifest in the scriptures.

And first, the Apostle in this very place disioynes righteousnes &* 1.4 vnrighteousnes, light & darknes, as farre a sunder, as beleevers & vn∣beleevers, as the temple of God & Idols: in which former also, the v∣nion betwixt Christ & Belial is as monstrous, as in the latter. Vn∣to which I do also adde, that Mr B. in this very place, debarring infidels, and idolaters from being matter of the true Church,* 1.5 layes this down as a cause, or reason, that they are led by the Di∣vel: wherevpon it followeth, that since none other wicked men are led by Christ, but all by the Divell, aswell as they, that none other can be matter of the true Church, more then they. And that some persons led by the Divel should be matter of the Church, and some not, is a distinction not found in the scriptures, but devised for a remedy against the iniquities of the tymes, and for the avoyding of trouble, and dissipation.* 1.6

Secondly, as the scriptures do every where denounce the same judgements vpon other wicked men, and vpon idolaters, and in∣fidels; for example, that, as well he † 1.7 that de••ileth his neighbours wife, or oppresseth the poore, or gives forth vpon vsury, shall dy the death, as he that eates vpon the mountaynes, or lifts vp his eyes vnto the Idols: and that aswell “ 1.8 whoremongers, un••rtherers, and such as love, or make lyes▪ as Idolaters, shalbe without the heavenly Ierusalem: so do they also both warrant, & direct vs the same course of walking towards the one, and other. The Lord Iesus, Mat. 18. 17. enjoyns the Church to account every obstinate offender as an Heathen. And the A∣postle Paul gives the Corinthians in charge as much to avoyd † 1.9 for∣m••atours, covetous persons, raylers, drunkers, and ••xtortioners, as Idola∣ters. And no marvayl, for * 1.10 covetous persons are Idolaters; and so are carnall men, Idolaters, making * 1.11 their belly their God. Vnto these adde, that the same Apostle vnto ‘* 1.12 T••tus calles vnholy, and pro∣fane persons (what profession of God soever they make) † 1.13 unbelee∣vers, or Infidels, which are the same. Which scripture I wish the Reader to observe in respect of Mr B. bould ch••lendge of all the Brow∣nists in the world to sh••w the term, or name of vnbeleevers to be given to such as are not become absolute Apostates from Christ.* 1.14

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mr B.
• * 1.2

  Answ.
• * 1.3

  pag. 132. 225. 226.
• * 1.4

  I.
• * 1.5

  Rom. 8. 14. Gal. 5. 15. 2 Tim 2. 26. 1 Ioh. ••3. 8.
• * 1.6

  I••.
• † 1.7

  Ezech. 18 & 11. 12. 13.
• “ 1.8

  Rev. 22. 1••. see also chap••. 2••. 8.
• † 1.9

  1 Cor. 5. 11.
• * 1.10

  Ephe. 5. 5▪
• * 1.11

  Phil. 3. 19.
• ‘* 1.12

  Ch: 1. 15 16.
• † 1.13

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.14

  Pag. 2••▪ ••.