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Gathering-Churches charged with Schism from the Church of England, and proved to be so from the Definition of this Church. Where∣in he is told what the Church of England, and Schism from it is.
THe General Question betwixt us is this; Whether it be Lawful for the Presbyte∣rians
to refuse Communion with our Parish Churches, and to gather themselves into Distinct and Separate Churches.
And upon a Serious review of it, and Consi∣deration of all that the Answerer hath said a∣gainst me, and my Discours upon it; I do renew my Charge; and possitively affirm, that it is Ʋnlawful; and as it is generally pra∣ctised, 'tis a great and dangerous Schism both against the Church of England, and Particu∣lar Churches: 'tis a Schism in its own nature, and sinful in it Self. 'Tis a Schism in the Judgment of the old Nonconformists called Puritans; and also in the Judgment of the Presbyterians before 1660. and lastly, that both in Conscience and Prudence it ought at present to be avoided, or deserted, by all such, especially, as are called Presbyterians. And all this, in in its several parts, and in their order, as here set down, I undertake to make good.
1. Thus to Separate and to Gather Chur∣ches is a Schism, with respect to the Church of England. Now, as Divines speak of a Schism in a Church, and a Shism from a Church; so in a diverse respect, this practice is guilty of both. For if you consider the Church of England, as particular Organized Church, 'tis a Schism from: but if, as part of the Ʋniversal Visibe Church only, as the Nonconformists use to term it, then 'tis Schism in it.
It is a Shism from the Church of England as such; by dividing from its Governours, Members, Worship and Assemblies: as I more than Intimated in my Book, p. 8. and this ought to have been distinctly observed at least, by my Answerer: but instead thereof, how he stumbles and blunders! looking care∣fully and making great Outcries after that, which I laid just before him.
You charge us, saith he, p. 37. with Schism from the Church of England. Again; p. 38. Tell us what you mean by Schism from the Church of England. Again; p. 35. We are told of Schism from the Church of England; as if it were a Monstrous and unheard of thing: and then puzzles, pittyfully puzzles himself and his Reader, in an impertinent pursuit of the Head of the Church of England: as if without a certain and infallible knowledge of that, there could be no such thing as a Church of England, or Schism from it. Wea∣rying himself, for five or six pages, at his old game, of nothing to the purpose.
But, methinks, he labours with a very ve∣hement desire after this great truth; and could he be sure to have it, he will not say how much Money, as well as Pains, he would give for it: yea he roundly offers me (how con∣sistent with his gravity I do not observe) but he roundly offers me all the Money in his Purse
to make him understand but what the Church of England is, p. 35.
Well, if you will promise me to be humble and teachable, and that you are not too old to learn; though I have no mind to your money, I will shew my readiness, and charity at least, to relieve you in so great a Streight, though my Judgment may fail, and my Definition be as despicable as my silly Arguments.
The Church of England, is a Community, Consisting of professed Christians, Ʋnited in the same Government, Doctrine and Worship: ac∣cording to the 39. Articles, and Homilies; Her Liturgy, and Canons and Laws; and divided into Parochial Assemblies, for the more conveni∣ent Worshipping of God.
Might such a Notion of the Church of Eng∣land have superceded all his Finesses of Wit and Distinctions about the Constitutive Eccle∣siastical Head, as he speaks, (how learnedly I leave to his Friend Mr. Bagshaw) I think his labour might have been well enough spa∣red: For he may Consider we are Ʋnited in the same Government, and the Pars Regens; is the only part he himself requires to be ad∣ded to the Pars Subdita to Constitute a Church Organiz'd, in a proper political sence. p. 38. Now you will not deny, either of these parts; and consequently, you have found the whole of the Church of England, as you
say, Organiz'd in a proper political Sence.
And, it hence follows, that 'tis material to our point, to determine certainly, what is the Ecclesiastical Head of this Church: whe∣ther, we that are Members of it, are all uni∣ted in the King as Persona mixta cum Sacer∣dote, and not meerly a Civil head as you in∣sinuate; he being Supream in all Causes and o∣ver all Persons as well Ecclesiastical as Civil. Or whether, any think it more proper to Ra∣dicate this Ʋnion in his Grace of Canterbury, as Primate over all England: or whether in both the Arch-Bishops who hold Communion in the same Doctrine, Worship and Laws: and in whom, both the Provinces are Ʋnited: or lastly, whether we are not rather United in all the Bishops and Pastors of the Church of England, as the Pars Regens; and our Go∣vernment in the Church, considered purely and abstractly from the Civil Government, be not rather an Aristocracy than a Monarchy. Whether this, or the other be the true; to know it is not necessary, nor of any use, that I can perceive in the present Controversy.
But it is a certain Vanity, to say; because I cannot find the Head, I will deny the Body, though I must withal deny my own Senses. Because you cannot know certainly, who was your Father, will you deny your Mother which is the surer side?
There is a Church of Engl••nd, and what it is I have endeavoured to shew: and by the Nature of it, we may more easily conclude what Schism from it, is; and who are guil∣ty of this; whether such as Separate and Ga∣ther Churches or not.