( 305 ) Reformation; it is lawful for them in Obedience unto the Làw of Chriff, to refòrm thermfelLes, and to make ufe ofthe means appointed by him for their Edification, abiding conffantly in the Communion ofall true Chur- ches before defcribed. I confefs this is that which we cannot digeff ; namely , an Imagination that the Lord Jefus Chriff bath obliged his Difciples, thole that Le- lieve in him, toabide alrvayes in fuch Societies, as where- in, not only things are impofed on their Obedience and Obfervancewhich he bath not commanded, but they are alto forced to live in the Negle& of expreffed Duties which he requireth ofthem, and the want ofthat means of their own Edification, which without the reflraint at prefent upon them, theymight enjoy according unto his Mind andWill. Believers were not made for Churches, nor for the advantage of them that Rule in them ; but Churches were made for Believers and their Edifica- tion, nor are of any ufe farther then they tend there- unto. There are the `Premifes whereon we proceed in all that we do; and they are fo far from being ObftruCtive ofthe Peace and Union of the Proteffant Churches, as that without them, they will never be promoted nor at- tained. And I do beg of this Worthy Perfon that he would not defpife there things, but know affuredly, that nothing would be fo effe&ual to procure the Union he defireth, as an Üniverfal Reformation of all forts ofPerlons, according unto the Rule and Lawof Chriff, which it may be, no man hath greater Ability and Opportunity in conjunhíon for, than himfclf. For wo be unto us, if whilff we contend about outward Peace in fmaller things, we neglect to make Peace with Q.q Cócd.,
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