The Unreasonableness of Separation, Table of contents – Errata
The Contents.
PART I.
An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of Separation.
§ 1. No Separation in the beginning of the Reformation, although there were then the same Reasons which are now pleaded. The Terms of Communion being the same which were required by the Martyrs in Queen Maries days. § 3. A true account of the Troubles of Francfurt. Mr. B's mistake about them. § 4. The first causes of the dislike of our Ceremonies. § 5. The Reasons of retaining them at the time of Reformation. § 6. The Tendencies to Separation checked by Beza and other Reformed Divines abroad. § 7. The Heats of the Nonconformists gave occasion to Separation. § 8. Their zele against it, notwithstanding their representing the sinfulness and mischief of it. § 9, 10. The true state of the Controversie between the Separatists and Nonconformists. § 11. Their Answers to the Separatists Reasons. § 12. The progress of Separation. The Schisms and Divisions among the Separatists the occasion of Independency. That makes Separation more inexcusable, by owning some of our Churches to be true Churches. § 13. The mischiefs which followed Independency both abroad, and § 14. hither into England. § 15. The Controversie stated between the Divines of the Assembly and the Dissenting Brethren. § 16. The cause of the Assembly given up by the present Dissenters. § 17. The old Nonconformists Iudgment of the unlawfulness of mens preaching here, when forbidden by Laws, fully cleared from some late Objections.
PART II.
Of the Nature of the present Separation.
§ 1. The different Principles of Separation laid down. The things agreed on with respect to our Church. § 2. The largeness of Parishes a mere Colour and Pretence; shewed from Mr. B's own words. § 3. The Mystery of the Presbyterian Separation opened. § 4. The Principles of it as to the People. Of occasional Communion, how far owned, and of what force in this matter, shewed from parallel cases. § 5. The reasons for this occasional Communion examined. § 6. Of the pretence of greater Edification in separate Meetings, never allowed by the Separatists or Independents as a reason for Separation. No reason for this pretence she…ed from Mr. B's words. § 7. The Principles of Separation as to the Ministry of our Churches. Of joyning with our Churches as Oratories. § 8. Of the Peoples judging of the worthiness and competency of their Ministers. Mr. B's Character of the People. The impertinency of this Plea as to the London Separation. § 9. The absurdity of allowing this liberty to separate from Mr. B's own words. § 10. The allowance be gives for Separation on the account of Conformity. What publick Worship may be forbidden. § 11. The Ministry of our Church charged with Usurpation in many cases, and Separation allowed on that account. § 12. Of Separation from Ithacian Prelatists. § 13. That the Schism doth not always lie on the Imposers side, where the terms of Communion are thought sinful. § 14. The Principles of the Independent Separation, or of those who hold all Communion with our Church unlawful. § 15. The nature of Separation stated and explained. § 16. The charge of Separation made good against those who hold Occasional Communion lawful. § 17. The obligation to constant Communion, where Occasional Communion is allowed to be lawful, at large proved. § 18. The Objection from our Saviours practice answered. § 19. The text Phil. 3. 16. cleared from all Objections. § 20. A new Exposition of that text shewed to be impertinent. § 21. The charge of Separation proved against those who hold all Communion with us unlawful. § 22, 23. The mischief brought upon the Cause of the Reformation by it. The testimonies of forein Protestant Divines to that purpose. § 24. No possibility of Union among the Protestant Churches upon their grounds, which hath been much wished for and desired by the best Protestants. § 25. All the ancient Schisms justifiable on the same pretences. § 26. There can be no end of Separation on the like grounds. Mr. A's Plea for Schism at large considered. § 27. The Obligation on Christians to preserve the Peace and Unity of the Church. The Cases mentioned wherein Separation is allowed by the Scripture. In all others it is proved to be a great sin.
PART III.
Of the Pleas for the present Separation.
Sect. 1. The Plea for Separation from the Constitution of the Parochial Churches considered. Sect. 2. Iustice Hobart's Testimony for Congregational Churches answered. Sect. 3. No Evidence in Antiquity for Independent Congregations. Sect. 4. The Church of Carthage governed by Episcopal Power, and not Democratical in S. Cyprian's time. Sect. 5, 6. No evidence in Scripture of more Churches than one in a City, though there be of more Congregations. Sect. 7. No Rule in Scripture to commit Church-power to a single Congregation; but the General Rules extend it further. Sect. 8. Of Diocesan Episcopacy; the Question about it stated. But one Bishop in a City in the best Churches, though many Assemblies. Sect. 9. Diocesan Episcopacy clearly proved in the African Churches. The extent of S. Austin's Diocess. Sect. 10. Diocesan Episcopacy of Alexandria. The largeness of Theodoret's Diocese: the Testimony of his Epistle cleared from all Mr. B's. late Objections. Sect. 11. Diocese Episcopacy not repugnant to any Institution of Christ proved from Mr. B. himself. Sect. 12. The Power of Presbyters in our Church. Sect. 13. The Episcopal Power succeeds the Apostolical, proved from many Testimonies. Sect. 14. What Power of Discipline is left to Parochial Churches, as to Admission. Sect. 15. Whether the power of Suspension be no part of Church Discipline. Sect. 16, 17. Of the defect of Discipline; and whether it overthrows the being of our Parochial Churches. Sect. 18. Of National Churches, and the grounds on which they are built. Sect. 19. The advantages of National Churches above Independent Congregations. Sect. 20. Mr. B's. Quaeries about National Churches answered. The Notion of the Church of England explained. Sect. 21. What necessity of one Constitutive Regent part of a National Church. Sect. 22. What Consent is necessary to the Union of a National Church. Sect. 23. Other Objections answered. Sect. 24. Of the Peoples power of choosing their own Pastors. Not founded in Scripture. Sect. 25. The testimony of Antiquity concerning it fully inquired into. The great disturbances of popular Elections: the Ganons against them. The Christian Princes interposing. The ancient Rights of Nomination and Presentation. The practice of foreign Protestant Churches. No reason to take away the Rights of Patronage to put the choice into the peoples hands. Objections answered. Sect. 26. No unlawfulness in the Terms of our Communion. Of substantial parts of Worship. The things agreed on both sides. Sect. 27. The way of finding the difference between their Ceremonies and parts of Divine Worship cleared. Sect. 28. The difference of the Popish Doctrine from ours as to Ceremonies. Sect. 29. The Sign of the Cross a Rule of Admission into our Church, and no part of Divine Worship. Sect. 30 No new Sacrament. Mr. B's. Objections answered. Sect. 31. His great mistakes about the Papist's Doctrine concerning the Moral Casuality of Sacraments. Sect. 32. Of the Customs observed in our Church, though not strictly required. Sect. 33. Of the Censures of the Church against Opposers of Ceremonies, and the force of Excommunication ipso facto. Sect. 34. Of the Plea of an erroneous Conscience in the case of Separation. Sect. 35. Of scruples of Conscience still remaining. Sect. 36. Of the use of Godfathers and Godmothers in Baptism. Sect. 37. No ground of Separation because more Ceremonies may be introduced. Sect. 38. No Parity of Reason as to the Dissenters Pleas for separating from our Church, and our Separation from the Church of Rome.
An Appendix containing several Letters of Eminent Protestant Divines abroad, shewing the unreasonableness of the present Separation from the Church of England.
Letter of Monsieur le Moyn,—p. 395
Of Monsieur le Angle,—p. 412
Of Monsieur Claude,—p. 427
Errata in the Preface.
Page 14. marg. r. Church History l. 9 p. 81. p. 17. l. 24. after find insert in. p. 34. l. 18. for S. Paul r. the Apostle, p. 36. l. 5. r. follows. p. 53. l. 21. for our r. one.
In the Book.
p. 59. l. 5. for (1) r. (3) p. 71. l. 27. r. secession. p. 72. l, 8. r. as will. l. 28. r. for which. l. ult. r. Cameron. p. 101, l, 12. dele for before say they. p. 102. l. 11. r. their teachers. p. 378. l. 2. dele whether.