The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated and argued by Richard Baxter ; who earnestly beseecheth rulers and clergy not to divide and destroy the land and cast their own souls on the dreadful guilt and punishment of national perjury ...

Chap. XXX Point XXVII. Of refusing Communicants from other Parishes, Canon 28. (Book 30)

L.

VVHY may not this be obeyed?

M.

In some cases it may, when Persons straggle without cause: But there is frequent need that will justifie it as a Duty: Parish Bounds are a humane Order for conveniency; but the benefit of an able faithful Minister, and the choice and use of such where they may be had, is of Divine Appointment, and a matter of far greater weight. The Canon supposeth Mi∣nisters that neither can nor may be suffered, to Preach or Ex∣pound any Doctrine: If a Neighbour Parish have an able Teacher, must he drive away poor hungry Souls that seek his Consolatory Communion and Help? If Parishes that are bound to maintain their own Poor, suffer any of them to be in danger of perishing

by cold or hunger, a Neighbour Parish tho' forbidden by men, is bound by God to relieve them in distress: Every Christian is related to all the Catholick Church, and as he hath need, hath right to the Communion of Saints, out of his Parish.

In London, where some Churches have excellent men, if a Lord or Gentleman live in a Parish where a Patron hath set over them, one that Preacheth not sincerely but railingly in strife, contention, or gross Error, why may not such a man go to a Neighbour Church? And why must that Neighbour Minister re∣pel him? When yet our Antagonists in this case, maintain that the Catholick Church, being but one, every Christian must Com∣municate in every place where he hath occasion: And that a Diocess is the lowest sort of Church, of which Parishes are but parcels: And consequently a man never separateth from his Church, that separateth not from the Diocesan.