that they did own the several Parishes, or Congregations in England to be true Churches, both in respect of their Constitution, and also in respect of their Doctrine and Worship; and that there were in them no such intolerable Corruptions, as that all Christians should fly from them. And even those that were in other respects opposite enough to the Church, did so declare. It was, saith Mr. Baxter, the Parish Churches that had the Liturgy, which Mr. H. Jacob, the Father of the Congregational Party, wrote for Communion with, against Fr. Johnson, and in respect to which, he called them Separatists, against whom he wrote. The same I may say of Mr. Bradshaw, Dr. Ames, and other Non-conformists, whom the Congre∣gational Brethren think were favourable to their way.
And if you will hearken to the abovesaid Apolo∣gist, he saith again, and again, That the general Sence of the present Non-conformists, both Ministers and People, is, that the Parishes of England generally are true Churches, both as to the Matter of them, the People being Christians; and as to the form, their Ministers being true Ministers, such as for their Doctrine and Manners deserve not to be degraded. But lest he should be thought to incline to one side, I shall produce the Te∣stimony of such as are of the Congregational Way. As for those of New-England, Mr. Baxter doth say, That their own Expressions signify, that they take the English Pa∣rishes, that have godly Ministers, for true Churches, though faulty. Mr. Cotton professeth, that Robinson's denial of the Parishional Churches to be true Churches, was never received into any Hearts amongst them; and otherwhere saith, We dare not deny to bless the Womb that bare us, and the Papes that gave us suck.
The five Diss••nting Brethren do declare, We have this sincere Profession to make before God and the World, that all the Conscience of the Defilements in the Church