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Independencie no Schisme.
Master VICARS.
THat ill weeds grow apace in Gods garden the Church, through the impunity, and intolerable Toleration of Sectaries & Schis∣maticks. 2. That since they cry out for liberty of conscience, it is more lawfull for him to use liberty of speech, with christian moderation. 3. That Independencie is a most dangerous schisme, and that the door of Independents hangs upon two hinges, Hope of impunity, and a continued good opinion even among the Presby∣terian party. 4. That they love to live Salamander like, in the fire of hot disputes.
Answer.
[ 1] To the first, [That ill weeds grow apace in Gods garden, by tole∣ration, &c.] Let the Church (the garden of God) be once furnished with true genuine plants, I mean such only as our heavenly Father hath planted by divine institution: Let such a Government be set up, as is only according to the will and appointment of Jesus Christ, and there can be no fear of prejudice by a toleration of divers Opinions: If the work be of God, if a Church way be founded upon the impreg∣nable rock Christ, nothing can overthrow it, not the gates of hell can prevaile against it. There was no noise made in building Solomons temple, and why should we make tumults and persecutions in build∣ing up the temple of Christ, whose temple we are? Let men be left to the power of the Word, and if they be not convinced by its mighty working, if they be given over to strong delusions, not all the prin∣cipalities and policies under heaven can reduce them: the Gospel is the gospel of peace, and we have no warrant thence to deal otherwise with men, then in a way of Peace, and Gospel power.
Secondly, Mr. Vicars, we do allow there are Sectaries, Schismaticks, and Hereticks in the Church of God, for such the Apostle sayes there