1. _Such as separate from us, only for matter of Government._ To these
we have spoken already in our Vindication; We now think fit to add one
thing more;
And that is, To beseech and intreat you, as Brethren, to consider,
what a sin it is, to separate from Churches, which you your selves
acknowledg to be true Churches of Jesus Christ; and that, while they
are endeavouring more and more after a reformation according to the
Word; and to set up Churches of another constitution; Is not this to
set up Church against Church? and as the Ancients were wont to express
it, _Altar against Altar_? And whereas you should rather joyn with us,
and put to your helping hand to reform the Nation, and to bring our
Churches into the order of the Gospel; do you not rather weaken our
hands, by dividing from us, and dividing of us; and thereby
obstructing and hindering the glorious work of Reformation? For what
with the Prelatical on the one hand, that will not come up to a
Scripture-Reformation; and with you on the other, that will not joyn
with us whilest we are endeavouring after a Scripture-Reformation, The
building of Gods house ceaseth, in most parts of the Kingdome; and
instead of a Reformation, we see nothing but deformation and
desolation. If we be the _Church of Christ, and Christ holdeth
communion with us, Why do you separate from us? If we be of the body
of Christ, do not they that separate from the body, separate from
the head also?_ We are loath to speak any thing, that may offend you;
yet we intreat you to consider, That if the Apostle calls those
divisions of the Church of _Corinth_, wherein Christians did not
separate into divers formed Congregations of several communion in the
Sacrament of the Lords Supper, _Schismes_, 1 _Cor._ 1.10. May not your
_secession_ from us, and _profession_ that you cannot joyn with Us as
members, and setting up Congregations of another communion be more
properly called _schisme_? The Greek word for _Schism_ signifies
_rending_; and sure it is, that you rend your selves from Us, and not,
_as from Churches the same rule_, but _as Churches differing in the
rule_, with a dislike of Us, and a protestation, that You cannot joyn
with Us as fixed members without sin; You hear Us preach, not as
persons in Office, but as gifted men only; and some of you refuse to
hear us preach at all: You renounce all _Church communion_ with us as
members; and not only so, but you invite our people from Us, by
telling them, _That they cannot continue with us without sin_: You
gather Churches out of our Churches, and You set up Churches in an
opposite way to our Churches; and all this you do voluntarily, (not
separated, but separating, _non fugati, sed fugitivi_) and
unwarrantably, not having any sufficient cause for it; and
notwithstanding all this, yet you acknowledge Us to be the true
Churches of Jesus Christ, and Churches with which Christ holds
communion. May we not therefore most justly charge you as guilty in
making a Schism in the Body of Christ?
We are far from thinking, that every difference in Judgment, or every
separation from a Church, maketh a Schism; for it is not the
Separation, but the Cause, that makes the Schismatick. The
Godly-learned say, [163]_That every unjust, and rash separation from a
true Church_, (that is, when there is no just cause, or at least no
sufficient cause of the separation) is a schism. And that there is
[164]a negative and positive schism, the former is, when men do
peaceably and quietly draw from communion with a Church, not making a
head against that Church from which they are departed: the other is,
when persons so withdrawing, do consociate & draw themselves into a
distinct and opposite Bodie, seting up a Church against a Church (as
you do;) which _Camero_ cals _A schism by way of eminencie_, & further
tels us, that there are [165]four causes that make a separation from a
Church, lawful.
1. When they that separate, are grievously and intollerably
persecuted.