The point of church-unity and schism discuss'd by a nonconformist, with respect to the church-divisions in England.

THE CONTENTS.

CHAP. I.

Of the Church and its Polity.

WHat the Church is both in its in∣visible and visible state. The state of the Church Catholick. The state of particular Churches, and their Pastors, Elders or Bishops. Of the par∣tition of Churches by local bounds. Of the Interests of Bishops or Pastors in any as∣signed circuit of Ground. Of the associa∣tion or combination of Churches. Of a National Church. Of the Interest of Ci∣vil Magistrates in the state of the Church. Of a Diocese and a Diocesan Bishop. Of exercising the Ministery without Subor∣dination to a Diocesan Bishop. No hu∣man power may prejudice Christs Inter∣est in his Ministers or People. All have a judgment of Discretion about their own acts.

CHAP. II.

Of true Church-Unity.

The names of Unity and Schism should be rightly applied. True Church-Unity is the Unity of the Spirit; what is included therein. True Unity is primarily of the Church in its mystical, secondarily in its visible state. Holy love is the Life and Soul of this Unity. Church-Unity con∣sidered in three points. 1. In the essen∣tials and all weighty matters of Christi∣an Faith and Life. 2. In the essentials and integrals of Church-state. 3. In the accidentals of Religion. The different value of these different points of Unity. The Rule of Unity is Gods Word. Of the Scriptures sufficiency as a Rule thereof. Of things left to human determination, with the Pastors and Magistrates Inter∣est therein. The Rulers Wisdom in set∣ling the right bounds of Unity. The burden of things unnecessary not to be laid on the Churches. Unity of external order is subservient to Faith and Ho∣liness.

CHAP. III.

Of Schism truly so called.

Schism is the violation of the Unity of the Spirit. Separation and Schism are not of equal extent. The violation of holy Love is the root of Schism. Schism lies primarily in a breach made upon the Unity of the Church as mystical, and se∣condarily as visible. The highest point of Schism against the Church as visible, is that which is about the essentials and weighty matters of Christian Faith and Life. How both Persons and Churches may be guilty of it. The next point of Schism is about the essentials and inte∣grals of Church state. This may be either against the Catholick or a particular Church; Instances of both kinds. The lowest point of Schism is about the acci∣dentals of Religion. How any are guil∣ty or not guilty in this point. A prepo∣sterous valuation made of the aforesaid different points, tends to Schism. The setting of other bounds of Unity, than Gods word allows, is to make a breach upon it. Terms of Unity may be allow∣ed

of God as to the Submitters, when they are not allowed as to the Imposers. The danger of acting against conscience rati∣onally doubting. Tis a false Unity that is set up to the hindrance of Faith and Holiness; and not to adhere to it is no Schism but Duty; Instances hereof. Of the right of drawing together into new Congregations on such occasion. What endeavour of Reformation is unlawfull to Subjects. A difference between ini∣mical separation and amicable necessary Segregation. The objected inconvenien∣ces against the amicable Segregation an∣swered. The import of the Text, Rom. 16. 17. opened.

CHAP. IV.

Of the Schisms that were in the more an∣cient times of the Church, and the dif∣ferent case of the Nonconformists in these times.

Of the Donatists. Of the Novatians. Whether the case of the present Non∣conformists be the same with the case of these or any others anciently reputed

Schismaticks. The case of such Noncon∣formists, as be more remote from acco∣modation with the Established Order. The case of such of them, as be more disposed to accommodation. An Answer to objections against relaxing the terms of Conformity. Of diverse other re∣markable Schisms in the ancient times; and the Nonconformists case different from theirs. An appeal to Antiquity and to our Superiors.

CHAP. V.

Of making a right estimate of the guilt of Schism, and something more of the right way to Unity.

The great abuse of the name Schism, and the bad consequence thereof. The degree of the Schism to be duely con∣sidered for making an equal judgment of the guilt thereof. Examples of Schismatical animosities in Worthies of ancient times. Charity in censuring thence inferred. True Unity is found∣ed in true Holiness, and promoted by impartiality and equity towards all real

Christians, and by the due exercise of true Church-Discipline, and by remov∣ing the snares of Division; and as by the equity and charity of Superiors, so by the humility and due submission of Inferiors. A Question considered about the warrantableness of submission to things not in themselves unlawfull, but inexpedient.