Whereas therefore the Cauf of Reformation i$ not in any thing weakened by our Principles, No Argument, noReafon folidly pleaded to juftifie theSeparation from the Church of ?tome being deferted by us, neither Te- ftimony, Proof, nor Evidence beingproduced to evince that it is weakned by us, I {hall in the Second place, as was before propofed, prove that the whole Caufe of the `Proteflants Separationfrom the Church ofRome, is f reng- thened and confirmed by le. There were fome general 'Principles on which the Proteftants proceeded in their Separation from the Church ofRome, and which they conftantly pleaded in Juftification thereof The firft was, that the Scripture, the Word ofGod is a perfect Rule of Faith and Religious Worfhip ; fo as that nothing ought to be admitted which is repugnant unto it in its general Rule or efpecial Prohibitions, nothing impofed that is not prefcribed therein, but that every one is at liberty to refute and reed any thing of that kind. This they all contended for, and confirmed their Affertion by the exprefs Teftimonies oftheWriters ofthe Primitive Churches.Toprove thistohave been their Princi- ple in their Separation from the Church ofRomewere to light,as they fày,a Candlein theSun. It were eafie to fill up a Volume with Teítimonies ofit. After a while this Principle began to be weakned, when the Intereft of men made them except from this Rule, things of outward Order, with fome Rites and Ceremonies, the ordaining whereof they pleaded to be left unto Churches as they faw Good. Hereby this. Principle, I fay,' as greatly 0 o 2 wea-
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