The Unreasonableness of Separation, Part 2 · Section 21
Sect. 21. II. I come now to consider the charge of Schism, or Sinful Separation, against Those, who, though they agree with us in the Substantials of Religion, yet deny any Communion with our Church to be lawful. I do not speak of any improper … Communion,Vindicat. p. 14. which Dr. O. calls Comm… Faith and Love, this they do allow to the Church of England, but no otherwise, than as they believe us to be Orthodox Christians; yet he seems to go farther, as to some at least of our Parochial Churches, that they are true Churches: But in what sense? Are they Churches rightly constituted, with whom they may joyn in Communion as Members? No; that he doth not say. But his meaning is, that they are not guilty of any such heinous Errors in Doctrine, or Idolatrous Practice in Worship, as should utterly deprive them of the Being and Nature of Churches. And doth this Kindness only belong to some of our Parochial Churches? I had thought, every Parochial Church was true, or false, according to its frame and constitution; which among us supposeth the owning the Doctrine and Worship received and practised in the Church of England, as it is established by Law; and if no such Errors in Doctrine, nor Idolatrous Praces be allowed by the Church of England, then every Parochial Church which is constituted according to it, is a true Church. But all this amounts to no more, than what they call a Metaphysical Truth; for he doth not mean, that they are Churches with which they may lawfully have Communion. And he pleads, for the necessity of having Separate Congregations, from the necessity of Separating from our Communion: (although the time was, when the bare want of a right Constitution of Churches, was thought a sufficient ground for setting up new Churches, or for withdrawing from the Communion of a Parochial Church; and I do not think the Dr. is of another mind now.) But however, I shall take things as I find them; and he insists on, as the grounds of this necessity of Separation, the things enjoyned by the Law's of the Land, or by the Canons and Orders of the Church; as Signing Children Baptized with the Sign of the Cross; Kneeling at the Communion; Observation of Holy-dayes▪ Constant Vse of the Liturgy; Renouncing other Assemblies, and the Peoples Right in choice of their own Pastors; Neglect of the Duties of Church-members; submitting to an Ecclesiastical Rule and Discipline, which not one of a Thousand can apprehend to have any thing in it, of the Authority of Christ, or Rule of the Gospel. This is the short account of the Reasons of Separation from our Churches Communion.
That which I am now to inquire into, is, Whether such Reasons as these be sufficient ground for Separation from a Church, wherein it is confessed there are no heinous Errors in Doctrine, or Idolatrous Practice in Worship; for if they be not, such Separation must be a formal Schism; because such persons not only withdraw from Communion with our Church, but set up other Churches of their own.
Now the way I shall take to shew the insufficiency of these Causes of Separation, shall be, by shewing the great Absurdities, that follow upon the allowance of them.
These Five especially, I shall insist upon.
(1.) That it weakens the Cause of the Reformation.
(2.) That it hinders all Vnion between the Protestant-Churches.
(3.) That it justifies the antient Schism's, which have been always condemned by the Christian Church.
(4.) That it makes Separation endless.
(5.) That it is contrary to the Obligation which lies on all Christians, to preserve the Peace and Vnity of the Church.