48 The Preface. prefcribed by our LordJe, oChristi, unto all Churches and 'Believers, in a due .Attendance whereunto, all the Unity and 'Peace, which he rerluireth among his Difeiples, do contifi. We acknowledge this to be our Fundamental Princi- ple. Nor can the Rhetorick or Arguments ofany man, affeét our Confciences,with a fènfe oftheGuilt ofSchifin, until one of thefe things be proved, namely, Either, Firft, That the Lord Chrift hathgiven nofach Rule, as in the Obfervance whereof, Peace and Unity may be preferved in his Church; Or, Secondly, That we refìsfe a compliance with thatRule, in force one Inftance or other, of what therein, hehath himfelfappointed. Unlefs one or the other be proved, and that ftriëtlyand dire&ly, not pretended fo to be, by perpetual Diverfions from the things in Queftion, no vehement Affertions ofany ofus to be Schifmaticks, nor Aggravations ofthe Guilt of Schifme, will fignifie any thing in this Caufe. But that our 'Principle herein , is according unto Truth, we are fully perfwaded. There is a Rule of Chrifts giving, which whofoever walk according unto, `Peace (hall be on them and Mercy, as on the whole Ifrael of God. Gal. 6.16. And we defire no more, no more is needful unto the Peaceand Unity of the Church ; And this Aide whatever it be, is of his giving and Appoint- ment. No Rule of Mens Invention or Impofition, can by its Obfervance fecure us of an Intereft in that Peace and Mercy, which is peculiar unto the Ifrael of God. God forbid we fhould entertain any fuch Imagination. We knowwell enough men may be throughConformifis, to
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