( 249 ) neral Conlïderations of things inlfied on by the Dr. ofno great Influence into the Caufe in hand, and vindi- cated one Principle, a fuppofition whereofwe rely upon, namely, the Declenlion of the Churches in the .Ages after the .Apoflles, efpecially after the End ofthe fecond Cen- tury, from thePrimitive Inftitution of their State, Rule, andOrder, in the Preface; I fhall now proceed to con- fider and examine diflindly what is oppofed unto the Defence ofour Innocency as unto the Guilt ofSchifine. But Come things muff be premifed hereunto. As, ï. I fhall not depart from the Rate ofthe Quefiion as laiddown by our (elves on our part, as unto our Judge- ment of `Parochial Churches, and our refraining from Communionwith them. Great Pains is taken to prove the feveral forts ofDiffenters to be departed fartherfrom the Church of'England then they will themfelves allow, and on fuch Principles as are difavowed by them. But no Difputations can force our Affent unto what we know to be contrary unto our Principles and Perfwa- fions. 2. V,%e do allow thofe Parochial .Afemblies, which have a fettled unblamable Minry among them, to be true Churches, fo fttr as they can pretend themfelves fo to be ; Churches, whole Original is from occafional Cohabitation within Precincts limited by the Law of the Lands Churches, without Church-Power to choofe or ordain their Officers, to provide for their own Continu- ation, to admit or exclude Members, or to reform at any time what is amifs among them; Churches, which are in all things under the Rule ofthole who are let o- ver them, by vertue of Civil Cotif itutions, forraign i unto
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