5 4 The Preface. But I muft return to the Argument, and (hall_ add fimething giving Light into the Nature ofSchifm, from an Inurance in the' Primitive Churches. That which is firft in any kind, gives the Meafure of what follows in the fame kind, and Light into the Na- ture of them. Whereas therefore the schijnie that was among the Churches about the Obfeervation ofEalier, was the firft that fell out unto the Difturbanceoftheir Com- munion, I [hall give a breifaccount of it, as far as the Qzeftion in hand is concerned in it. It is evident that the Apoftlesdid with care and dili- gence teach the Doflrine ofChriflian Liberty , warning the Difciples to )(land faft in it, and not fubmit their Necks unto any YokeofBondage, in the things of the Worfhip ofGod ;, efpecially the Apoftle `Paul had fre- quent Occafions to treat of this fub je&. And what they taught in DoCrine, they efiabli[hed and confirmed in their Traciice. For they enjoyned nothing to be ob- ferved in the Church but what was neceffary, and what they had the Command of Chrift for; leaving the Ob- fervation of things indifferent, unto their Original In- differency. But whereas they had decreed by the Di- reaion of the Holy Ghoft force neceffary Condfcen(tons in the Gentile Believers, towards the yews, in cafe of Offence or Scandal; they did themfelves make ufe of their Liberty to complywith the fame yews, in force of their Obfervances , not yet unlawful. Hereon there enfued in feveral Churches different Obfervations offorce Rites and Cuftomes, which they apprehended were countenanced by the `Pratiife ofthe Apoflles, at leafs as it had been reported unto them. For immediately after the Deceafe of the Apoftles, very many e 1ßahes and Vntruths werereported concerning what they faid, did, and
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