66 The Preface. and Union, which are prefcribedunto the Churches and Difciples of Chrift ; provided that we live in the exer- cife of that Lovewhich he enjoyneth us; which whilft it continues, in the Profeffion of the fame Faith, it is ihspoffible there íhould be any Schifine among us.Where- fore, whereas force are very defirous to Bate the Con- troverfie on this fuppofition, that there is a Schifine a- mong us, and iffue it in an Enquiry, on which fidethe blame of it is to be laid, . wherein they fuppofe they need no fartherJuflification, but the Poft ffàon ofthat Church State which is Eftablifhedby Law; I dull willingly fore- go the Charging of themwith the whole Occafionof' the Schifine pretended, until they can prove there is fuch a Schifine, which I utterly deny. For the refraining of Communion with Parochial ,/lfnrblies, on the Grounds whereonwe do refrain, bath nothing of the Nature of Schifine in it, neither as it is hated in the Scripture, nor as it was efteemed of in the Primitive Churches, amongft whom there were Differences of as great importance, without any mutual Charges of Schifine. Wherefore al- though we cannot forego utterly the Defenceofourown Innocency againft fuch Charges as import no lets then an heinous Guilt ofSinagainft God, and eminent dan- ger ofRuine from Men ; Yet we tha11 conftantly unite our felves with and unto all who fincerely endeavour the Promotion ofthe great Ends of Chriflian Religion, and the Prefervation of the Intereft ofProtefiant Reli- gion, in this Nation. Something 1 Judge nccefiary to add concerningMy Ingagement, or rather Surprifl into this Controverfie, . againft my Inclination and Refolution. The Dr. tells us, Pref. p. 51. That when his Sermon camefiifi out, it went downquietly enough; and many ofthe People
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=