Davvnings of light wherein the true interest of reformation is opened in generall, and in particular, in this kingdome for the establishment of weaker judgements, and many other things impartially hinted, to a further discovery of truth and light in many of our present controversies : with some maximes of reformation / by John Saltmarsh ...

Separation enquired after.

ANd for Separation, I find it not rightly stated: for, withdraw∣ings, and particular communicatings apart of the godly, that separate only upon grounds, not so clearly or fully condemned in the Word, or com∣mended, ought not to be presently reputed Schisme, or Separation, nei∣ther by those that so withdraw, nor those from whom the pretended se∣paration is made, if we would study the common peace of Christians: and if this were rightly discussed, and the true Scripture principles made clear which bear it, there would be no such division, as there is separation, but it would be only a suspending one from another, as in the intervals of unclean∣nesse under the law, till Christ had revealed even this unto them.

And indeed it would be well en∣quired, seeing God reveales his ••••uths in severall degrees in nations, and per∣sons,

Whether such a national con∣formity be fully agreeable to such a method of Revelation, and that all ought to conform outwardly, that conform not inwardly? and whether such an unity may not have equally its inconveniences on the right hand, as formality hypocrisio, &c. as well as the other on the left, errors, divisions, &c. and yet all State inconveniencies must be taken in here, which may spring from the want of such a con∣formity; alwayes provided that the rule in Scripture be fully consulted, lest we make Church businesse bend further toward the maximes of State, then there is just grounds in the word: and it would be well weighed, whe∣ther such separation hath not foun∣dation enough for more spiritual correspondencie, then some on all sides practise? and whether such differen∣ces in those that pretend all to come out of Babylon, ought to be esteemed other than the severall complections and features of so many members of the same body? some are more ho∣nourable then others. And here we

might do well to observe better that great engine of Sathans, which he useth against the people of God, that of severall titles, and notes of distin∣ction, as of Presbyterial, Independent, Brownist, Anabaptist: For by put∣ting us thus under Paul, and Apollos, or Cephas, he drawes us into scandal, and offence, and sidings, and parties, amounting almost to the disinteress∣ing and unclasping our selves one from another, and letting us out into these severall channels, and then our stream must needs slow more weakly against the banks of the common enemy, and the power of hell and darknesse. I conclude thus, that these Scriptures would be further searched.

Now I beseech you &c. that you all speak the same thing,* 1.1 &c. and that you be perfectly joyned together in the same same mind.* 1.2 Let us therefore as many as be perfect,* 1.3 be thus minded, and if in any thing you be otherwise minded,* 1.4 God shall reveale even this unto you.

Neverthelesse whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us minde the same things.

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weake,* 1.5 and not to please our selves.

Let every one of us please his neigh∣bour,* 1.6 for his good to edification.

For one believeth that he may eat all things,* 1.7 another who is weak eateth herbs.

Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not.* 1.8

In these Scriptures are almost the full latitude of Christianity: in the first, the perfect Rule of unity is com∣mended; in the other, the severall degrees to this unity are opened, and commanded.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Cor. 1.10.
• * 1.2

  Phil. 3.
• * 1.3

  15.
• * 1.4

  16.
• * 1.5

  Rom. 15.
• * 1.6

  Rom. 15.2.
• * 1.7

  Rom. 14.2.
• * 1.8

  3.